Malik Mothersille scored on his Stockport County debut to set last season's third-placed side on their way to a winning start to the new League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Edgeley Park.
The home side survived Bolton hitting the woodwork twice, but record signing Mothersille diverted Oliver Norwood's miscued shot home in first-half stoppage time and Kyle Wootton headed a second in the 89th minute. Both Greater Manchester clubs have promotion ambitions and have invested in their squads after Stockport reached the play-offs and Bolton finished eighth last season.
Bolton Lay Siege But Lack the Final Touch
Steven Schumacher's Bolton settled the quicker and created a host of chances. Xavier Simons crashed a shot against the base of the post after six minutes, Josh Dacres-Cogley miscued a golden chance from a rehearsed corner routine, and Corey Addai turned Amario Cozier-Duberry's effort round the post as Stockport struggled to contain the visitors' attack.