League One play-offs: Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers take first-leg advantage

Stockport County snatched the initiative with a dramatic 1-0 win at Stevenage, whilst Bolton Wanderers also claimed a one-goal victory over Bradford City in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-finals.

A continued lack of goals – but certainly not a lack of drama – has been a defining theme of this season’s EFL play-off campaign so far.

Stockport and Stevenage were heading towards a third goalless draw of the first legs before Ben Osborn struck late on, capitalising on a defensive error to hand his side a slender advantage heading back to Edgeley Park.

At the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton’s single goal was enough to separate the sides in a tight contest with Bradford, as attention now turns to the second legs.

The League Two play-offs get underway today, with Grimsby Town hosting Salford City and Notts County travelling to face Chesterfield.

But here’s how the League One play-off first legs unfolded.

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Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County (first-leg)

Osborn poked home a last-minute winner for the Hatters against Stevenage.

The home side switched off and failed to clear once Benony Andresson had stumbled and fell over on a one-on-one as the 31-year-old capitalised on the defensive mishap.

Until then, the game was heading for a stalemate as neither were able to stamp their authority on a cagey semi-final.

The best chances in the first half had fell to Boro, a hooked volley over his shoulder by Jordan Roberts forcing Corey Addai to tip over.

And when that corner was half cleared, Roberts’ cross was met by Carl Piergianni, with the skipper knowing he should have done better than head wide.

Stockport eventually wrestled the momentum their way after the hour, Adama Sidibeh twice putting efforts wide.

Meanwhile, an Oliver Norwood free-kick flicked off the Stevenage wall and dropped onto the roof of the net.

Filip Marschall then saved an Odin Bailey free-kick.

Stevenage did have a couple of chances, none better than when Dan Kemp went through.

As Andresson would later on, he stumbled over his own feet but this time there was nobody there to prod the ball home.

Bolton 1-0 Bradford City (first-leg)

Brighton loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry, who was named in the League One team of the season, curled in a trademark left-footed shot after 60 minutes to net the winning goal on the day.

Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross from the left eluded defenders and attackers alike before reaching Cozier-Duberry, who buried his 10th goal of the season.

The same player should have doubled Wanderers’ lead two minutes later, but his low right-footed effort hit the inside of a post and bounced to safety.

Bradford, bidding to reach the Championship for the first time in 22 years, were always in the contest, with former Bolton midfielder Antoni Sarcevic enjoying their best chances.

Denied by a Chris Forino block in the first half, he fired wide in the second, moments after the game restarted with fourth official David Rock replacing injured referee Martin Coy.

Sarcevic later shot into the side-netting, with the Bantams still appealing for a penalty for Forino’s challenge on Kayden Jackson.

League One play-off semi final first-leg scores

Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Bradford City
Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County

Second-leg fixtures

Stockport County vs Stevenage – Wednesday 13 May, 8pm
Bradford City vs Bolton Wanderers – Thursday 14 May, 8pm

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