Stockport boss Dave Challinor was relieved as his side progressed to the second round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory after extra time against non-league Forest Green.
A defensive error from County allowed Christian Doidge to cancel out Fraser Horsfall’s opener and force extra time in the first-round tie.
But Kyle Wootton’s 97th-minute strike earned Stockport a place in the next round.
County boss Challinor said: “I don’t think it was a great watch today. Second half we were slightly better and we should’ve won the game but we made an awful mistake and have to play an extra half hour.
“We got taken right to the wire but the main thing is that we are through.
“No one will remember what happened today if we get a good draw in the second round and as a club we all strive to get a big draw in the third round.”
Visiting manager Steve Cotterill said he had never been as proud of his Forest Green side after they pushed their League One opponents all the way.
Stockport completed a comprehensive double over Forest Green in League Two last season, but with two divisions now separating the clubs, Cotterill believes his side have made huge strides since their relegation to the National League.
“We were brilliant today, I couldn’t have been prouder,” Cotterill said.
“We ended up losing a game that we didn’t deserve to. I thought we were excellent today in everything we did and I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of the team here in my time here than I am today.
“I thought today proved how far we’ve come. Last season we played Stockport and got beat 3-0 at home but we’ve come here today six months later and put in a performance like that.”
