Stockport County suffered the stuff of nightmares as a dodgy goalkeeping decision and a defender’s rear end combined to produce a comical own goal.
Goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe was left looking mortified after one of his kicks ricocheted off a team-mate and looped backwards into the net.
The 38-year-old had been trying to launch a counter-attack with a long kick against Rotherham but instead blasted the ball against defender Joe Olowu’s backside.
It was a horror moment for the typically reliable stopper, but fortunately Dave Challinor’s side won 3-2 to stay fourth in League One.
The own goal gift had been provided for Rotherham in the 42nd minute to level the scores at 1-1 but Stockport got the better of their opponents in the second half.
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Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe was left with egg on his face after a bizarre error leading to an own goal
Challinor wasn’t overly pleased with how his team responded, saying: ‘We were affected too much by a freak incident that not many, or if any, people will have seen before. That happens.
‘It was a moment that cost us in terms of our attitude. We went into our shells a little bit and I’m displeased about that.’
Meanwhile, Rotherham gaffer Matt Hamshaw wasn’t particularly grateful for the help, saying as part of his post-game press conference: ‘It feels like a lot of things are conspiring against us at the moment.’
The incident won’t affect Stockport’s affection for Hinchcliffe. The veteran has won three promotions with County, working his way up from his non-league days when he used to balance playing with being a lorry driver.
In August he celebrated his 400th appearance for the Greater Manchester outfit.
People on social media certainly saw the funny side but laid the blame squarely at Hinchcliffe’s feet.
‘Not sure what the defender is supposed to do here. It’s a calamitous error from the goalie,’ one said.
‘What’s the defender supposed to do? Disappear?’ another joked.
One Stockport fan pointed out: ‘Obviously it’s Ben’s fault. He’s saved us in so many games so I’m not complaining. We won the game so on to Cardiff.’
