Stockport County travel to The Valley for the first time since 2010 to face a stuttering Charlton Athletic in the second round of this season's FA Cup on Saturday.
The Hatters have adapted well to life back in the fourth tier and were seven unbeaten in all competitions until a loss last weekend, whereas The Addicks are failing to match their promotion ambitions in League One after an inconsistent set of results so far.
Match preview
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After witnessing his side lose a scrappy affair at Port Vale from the stands due to a two-game touchline ban, Charlton manager Ben Garner gave an extraordinary media conference in which he slammed the hosts' style of football and revealed he has not received the financial backing in the transfer market he expected when he made the switch from Swindon Town in the summer.
Once again an Addicks boss is unhappy with the club's hierarchy - and that combined with a run of four games without a win in League One and a sobering mid-table standing is beginning to pile the pressure further on owner Thomas Sandgaard to the point where major protests seem just a bad result away.
That disappointment at Port Vale was followed by a young Charlton side exiting the EFL Trophy in the week after making the long journey to face Plymouth Argyle, with first professional goals for youngsters Daniel Kanu and Kay Anderson not enough to avoid defeat in normal time.
Remarkably, only two players in the matchday squad for Garner's men at Home Park did not come through Charlton's academy, highlighting the pathway the club allows into the first team but also the reliance on youngsters to burst onto the scene and provide a spark when senior players are struggling.
Given the mass rotation for that EFL Trophy defeat, Garner is likely to go with his strongest side to face Stockport, as he did in their first-round success against non-league Coalville Town, who play their football in the Southern Premier Division Central.
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League leaders Leyton Orient put an end to Stockport's impressive seven-game unbeaten run in League Two last weekend, but that defeat has not dampened spirits amongst a fanbase that had to endure regional football for six seasons during the last decade.
Dave Challinor's side sit 14th in League Two after collecting a steady 25 points from their first 19 games on their return to the fourth tier, although there is a feeling around Edgeley Park that mid-table mediocrity and safety would not represent success this campaign.
Significant investment from local businessman Mark Stott in the summer allowed Stockport to retain the services of forward Paddy Madden and tempt 19-goal striker Kyle Wootton away from Notts County, meaning the Hatters were tipped before the season's start to battle for back-to-back promotions.
Currently six points behind sixth-placed Swindon, Challinor's men have work to do over the winter to close the gap, but based on their recent form an ascent up the League Two table will be expected by players and supporters alike.
The Robins were in fact Stockport's victims in the first round of the FA Cup a few weeks ago, with last season's National League champions thrashing Scott Lindsey's side 4-0, County's biggest margin of victory so far this season.
Team News
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Charlton will remain without the services of goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott who fractured his finger earlier this month, with the 26-year-old currently in Qatar supporting his Ghana teammates ahead of their World Cup clashes with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
The Addicks are going through a tough period in terms of injuries, with Craig MacGillivray (concussion), Terell Thomas (hamstring) and Miles Leaburn (ankle) all sidelined for the visit of Stockport this weekend.
The visitors on Saturday also have a goalkeeper unavailable, with Liverpool loanee Vitezslav Jaros out with an ankle injury, meaning 34-year-old Ben Hinchliffe will start between the sticks at The Valley.
Forward Madden looked off the pace against Orient last time out, but the 32-year-old has an extensive history of tormenting League One defences so he should be assured of a starting berth here as Stockport look to cause a major upset and secure a place in the third round.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Lavelle, Inniss, Sessegnon; Rak-Sakyi, Dobson, Fraser, Blackett-Taylor; Stockley, Kirk
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Wright, Horsfall, Hussey; Southam-Hales, Collar, Croasdale, Sarcevic, Hippolyte; Madden, Wootton
We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Stockport County
Charlton are in a bad place as a club at the moment and will hope the FA Cup can provide a distraction from a league campaign that looks set to disappoint once more.
Stockport are in a buoyant mood after a positive run of form in League Two, but a trip to The Valley to face a Charlton side full of quality players may be where their journey in this competition ends for another year.
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