Burstow strikes as City make it four in a row

WIN OVER STOCKPORT GIVES TIGERS HEART

- By BARRY COOPER

Mason Burstow's powerful header 15 minutes from time made it four straight preseason wins under Sergej Jakirovic with a 1-0 success at League One Stockport County.

A much-improved second-half display from the visitors at Edgeley Park saw Ryan Giles provide the cross for Burstow's bullet header to get him off the mark ahead of the new campaign.

Plenty of questions remain about City's squad two weeks out from the opening weekend of the Championship season, especially in midfield and up front, but another victory should give them heart.

In the opening exchanges, City were struggling with the movement in Stockport's midfield, orchestrated by the experienced Ollie Norwood, and it was the hosts who fashioned the early chances.

Jack Diamond twice shot wide from good positions, while Callum Camps forced a smart stop at his near post from Ivor Pandur, and there was an air shot 12 yards out from Ashton Mee. The lack of chemistry and cohesion between Regan Slater, Matt Crooks, and Kasey Palmer was a real concern for the Tigers, with the trio struggling to string any meaningful moves together.