Angell delivers hammer blow

BRETT ANGELL put Stockport into the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time and broke West Ham's Wembley dream.

Angell, who returned to County earlier this season in a £120,000 deal after leaving the club for failed attempts in the big time with Everton, Sheffield United and Sunderland, settled this pulsating fourth round replay at rain-drenched Edgley Park with his 13th goal of the campaign.

It sent Stockport into a last-eight home showdown with Southampton.

Stockport fell behind to a Julian Dicks strike on 21 minutes, but levelled when lain Dowie put through his own net less than 60 seconds later before Angel gave them the lead after 26 minutes.

West Ham slipped effortlessly into the slick passing mode which is their trademark and which made a mockery of a pitch made treacherous by incessant rain.

Ian Bishop, John Moncur and Michael Hughes looked full of invention, and an early link-up that freed Mark Bowen threatened danger only for a posse of Stockport defenders to crowd out Dowie as he attempted to shoot.

It was no surprise, though, when West Ham took the lead after 21 minutes inspirational skipper Dicks netting his fifth goal of the season.

Ilie Dumitrescu's right wing corner was met by Dicks who headed home from eight yards.

Less than a minute later Mike Flynn's long throw caused panic and, when Chris Marsden nodded into the danger zone, Dowie inexplicably headed the ball into his own net.

Stockport, suitably encouraged. poured forward in search of more reward and found it in the 27th minute.

Tom Bennett spotted Angell's dart towards the penalty spot and his cross was perfect for the striker to loop a header over the stranded Ludek Miklosko for his priceless winner.