Crystal Palace 1-0 Stockport County: Eberechi Eze’s early strike sees Eagles by means of close-fought FA Cup encounter – as League One high-flyers rue missed possibilities

These sides may be separated by a considerable gulf in the Football League pyramid but this was an occasion when the scoreline, rather than the league tables, was more far reflective of the gap between the teams.

The only metric in which this game was truly one-sided in favour of the Premier League side was possession. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner will of course point to the cold, hard facts of the afternoon. Victory put his side through to the fourth round. Job done.

But his opposite number Dave Challinor, who has worked wonders in guiding County up the divisions, will be thinking of what could have been as they make the long journey back to the north west tonight. Replaying those match-defining moments over and over again in his head.

What if striker Kyle Wootton had been able to keep his header down? What if Isaac Olaofe had curled the ball just an inch or two further out, beyond the reach of Palace keeper Matt Turner, and into the far corner of the net.

The reality was that Eberechi Eze’s goal clinched the tie. Daichi Kamada’s cross was only half cleared by Stockport midfielder Odin Bailey. Eze was onto the loose ball like a flash, picking his spot and curling past goalkeeper Corey Addai before any defender had even thought to put the England attacker off.

But you would struggle to highlight any other real moments of quality which saw the hosts carve open their League One opponents in the 86 minutes that followed.

Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game as Crystal Palace beat Stockport County 1-0

This was a close-fough contest and Stockprot County will rue multiple missed opportunities

Oliver Glasner will point to the cold, hard facts – his side are through, even if it wasn’t easy

Just before Eze’s goal went in, the packed-out away end had been signing about their dreams of reaching Wembley. Those chants never ceased in the after-math as County set about climbing their mountain.

Chadi Riad was making only his third appearance in Palace colours following his £14million move last summer but wasn’t afforded a warm welcome by Olaofe. He was far too strong and more determined than Riad, latching onto a ball down the right before firing a cross into the box in search of strike partner Wootton. The County captain slid in at the far post but was unable to make decisive contact.

Then Palace captain Marc Guehi fired into the side-netting from a tight angle from a corner, but it was back in his own box where the real issues lay.

Olaofe and Wootton proved a right handful. A delivery from the Trent Alexander-Arnold playbook from full back Ibou Touray found the latter in the box, but he was just about unable to keep his header down.

Palace ended the half with 80 per cent possession and the final big chance. Again it was the electric Eze who danced his way into the area and crossed but he saw Daniel Munoz fail to make contact with the ball at the far post.

The hosts started the second half with the same dominance but still a painful lack of the quality, imagination and impetus required to open up Stockport. That second goal would have put the tie out of their sights, but instead the slender advantage spurred the plucky League One side on.

The Hatters’ best opportunity fell to Olaofe, a local lad born just up the road in Lewisham. He was alert and ready to pounce on a hospital pass from Guehi but saw his effort tipped around the post by Palace keeper Matt Turner. It was the kind of moment Olaofe will replay over and over again when his head hits the pillow tonight.

Stockport’s resolute backline opened up as they threw caution to the wind. Eddie Nketiah was unable to keep his effort down after Lerma’s long-throw was knocked on and deep into stoppage time Addai denied substitute Justin Devenny brilliantly with his legs.