Vics succumbed to a heavy defeat against a strong Stockport County side, with the visitors running out 5-0 victors against Andy Preece's men last night (Tuesday).

In wet and difficult conditions at the Victoria Stadium Paul Simpson's side, who were relegated from League One last term, exposed the difference in class and raced into a three-goal half time lead.

Striker Liam Newman had his shirt pulled early on, earning Vics a free-kick 35 yards out as we attacked the Canal End in the first period.

Hayden Paul did well to win the ball back on the edge of the area, before playing it out to former Crewe youngster Kingsley Williams whose low shot was off target to the left of goal.

There were big penalty shouts from the visitors, debuting their new Nike 2010/11 home strip, and their contingent of fans in both stands soon after. 18-year-old Tom Fisher appeared to be shoved to the ground, following a well placed cross from former Manchester United trainee Mark Lynch, who was snapped up by Simpson in July after being released by Rotherham.

Referee Graham Sutton waved away the protests though, to the relief of Vics' players and supporters.

But County did make their early pressure count on 10 minutes. Skipper Danny Swales was left unmarked in front of goal to head in an inswinging Danny Rowe free-kick from the right flank.

It took no time at all for them to double the lead either. Just three minutes in fact before midfielder David Poole’s fiercely swerving low shot from 25-yards completely deceived James Spencer and found its way into the bottom left corner.

28-year-old right back Lynch continued to cause problems from that side of the field, crossing with both feet and putting the Vics defence under intense pressure.

That pressure told on the half hour mark too as County were awarded a penalty. Harry Bockarie brought down one of County’s two trialists in the starting XI and Greg Tansey converted, putting his spot kick to the left of Spencer who dived the opposite way.

Danny Rowe’s pace down the left flank caused Craig Flowers problems and Des Flanaghan almost turned into his own net from a teasing centre.

Left back Tim Lawton tested Owain Fon Williams for the first time with a dipping strike on 43 minutes, but the experienced Welsh goalkeeper got his body behind it well to see the NPower League Two side go in at the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

John Disney, Josh Lee, Liam Beswick, Michael Branch and Kristian Dennis all came on for the second half as Preece looked for a much better performance after the interval.

County made as many changes, as Paul Simpson was equally keen to give everyone a run out.

And the handful of changes evened things up, as both sides played out the first fifteen minutes of the second half with little serious threat to either goal.

George Clegg and Alex Zarrelli came on for Paul Pearson and Kingsley Williams respectively just past the hour mark, as Preece utilised all of his substitutes bar Mario Bryan, scorer against Falkirk a week ago.

Disney, a County youngster, did well down the right and won a corner for his efforts. His left foot half volleyed centre from the resulting flag kick was well held by the visitors’ trialist goalkeeper, who was brought on for the second half.

With just over a quarter of an hour remaining County made it four. A slick low pass cut the Vics defence right open allowing Pilkington to cooly slot past Spencer.

There was still time for one more before the final whistle. A slip in the area allowed Ritchie Partridge to swivel and slot a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Spencer pulled off a superb fingertip stop to deny County a sixth late on, before the ball was cleared off the line from the resulting corner.

It was a lesson learnt for Vics’ youngsters and trialists. But ultimately Preece will be a a big step closer to deciding who deserves to be offered a deal for the upcoming season, just four weeks away.

Vics: James Spencer (C), Craig Flowers, Tim Lawton, Harry Bockarie, Des Flanaghan, Steve Vaughan, Alex Lowe, Kingsley Williams, Liam Newman, Hayden Paul, Paul Pearson

Subs: George Clegg, John Disney, Josh Lee, Liam Beswick, Michael Branch, Kristian Dennis, Alex Zarrelli

County: Owain Fon Williams, Mark Lynch, Andrew Nicholas, Greg Tansey, Danny Swales (C), Trialist, David Poole, James Vincent, Trialist, Tom Fisher, Danny Rowe

Subs/Second Half Team: Trialist (GK)*, Andy Halls, Adam Griffin, Paul Turnbull, Trialist*, Gianluca Havern, Cameron, Darkwah, Sam Hare, Barry Conlon, Trialist*, Ritchie Partridge

*Trialists were unnamed on the teamsheet and several players came on wearing shirts with no number.

Goals: Swales 10, Poole 13, Tansey 29, Pilkington 73, Partridge 80

Referee: G. Sutton

Assistants: S. Durbin (chequered flag), W. Smallwood (yellow flag)