The two sides had met just three days prior the final in the
Football League play-offs with Stockport coming out on top. County began the first half the better of the two teams and
Paul Wheeler had the ball in the back of the Stoke net after six minutes but was disallowed for a foul on Stoke 'keeper
Peter Fox. The rest of the first half was end-to-end with
Wayne Biggins and
Lee Sandford going close for City whilst Fox had to pull off a fine save to deny Wheeler. In the second half, Stockport began to tire and Stoke took full advantage,
Ian Cranson hit a long ball forward on 65 minutes only for
Lee Todd to clear away but was returned by
Vince Overson, leaving
Lee Sandford free to flick the ball on to
Mark Stein on the edge of the County area. Stein beat two Stockport defenders before smashing a powerful shot past
Neil Edwards. Stoke had to withstand pressure from Stockport attacks but held firm to claim their first
Associate Members' Cup victory. ==Match details==