Darlo were knocked out of the automatic promotion places on a dreadful Edgeley Park pitch.

Quakers had their misgivings about the pitch before the game, and at first sight, it was clear that the encounter was never going to be one for the purist, as Edgeley Park had been used for a rugby game the night before. If you thought Feethams was bad eight years ago, then Edgeley Park is probably worse.

There was hardly any grass in the middle third of the pitch, and there were several hidden holes - one of which claimed Julian Joachim who twisted his ankle just before half time to further add to Darlo's injury list.

It was obvious that there weren't going to be many goals, and unfortunately Stockport scored the only one on 37 minutes, when sub Tommy Rowe fired against the post, and Liam Dickinson volleyed in the rebound.

Quakers were more adventurous in the second half, and nearly levelled when Rob Purdie crossed from the right, and Tommy Wright's looping header seemed to be dropping in, until Stockport keeper Joe Ruddy somehow managed to push the ball away.

Quakers threw men forward looking for a valuable point, and Neil Austin put a left foot effort just wide, while Stockport nearly added to their score at the other end, but Darlo keeper David Stockdale twice denied him.

Stockport's victory means that they are just two points behind Quakers with two games in hand - and now Hereford are a point ahead of Quakers because of their 2-2 draw with Chester at Edgar Street. Darlo meet Hereford at the Arena this Saturday in a real six pointer.

Darlo manager Dave Penney said afterwards; "Confidence is low and we are twitchy. I thought we had enough leaders and characters, but maybe we haven't. The current situation hurts me. I am gutted. We have to get back to playing to our strengths, which is being hard to beat."