But that was compounded [sic] by the last second penalty which saw the home side run out 22-20 winners. Despite Jonny's injury we had done enough to win the game and only some naivety let Stockport back in. We'd even given them a penalty earlier in injury time, which they'd missed, and to do it again and hand thjem the game was just daft.

An away win so early in the season would have been a major boost specially as we are still looking for two points on our travels.

It is a different matter at home where only Morley have upset the applecart. Davy Tighe will now be missing for a couple of months after his ankle operation which is due today. He says his surgeon has a new bit of kit which will be used to remove a spur on the ankle and, as Davy says, keep the 33 year old going for a few more years.

Darren Thomas will be his deputy. Dash got as full 80 minutes at scrum half with the Stags last week and will bring his usual enthusiasm and bite to the game

Iain Dixon is fit, after injuring a thumb at Penrith, but Colin Cheslin still has a calf problem so Gareth Kerr moves outside to allow Jamie Connolly back into the centre.

Chris Stewart and Paul Vinnicombe return to the starting line-up with Tim Sawyer moving back to hooker.

Dan Boatman once again had an excellent game at Penrith, as did Dominic Morrison who played a superb supporting role in Gareth Kerr's 80 metre try last week.

Pressure for back row places is mounting. Jonny Boatman is back in light training and Aaron Myers will be on Stags duty after recovering from his broken arm. He could figure on Boxing Day with "Spanish" back home in London for the holiday.

West: 15 Iain Dixon, 14 Andrew Cheslin, 13 Peter Hodgson 12 Jamie Connolly 11 Gareth Kerr 10 Paul Moss, 9 Darren Thomas 1 Anth Carr [captain], 2 Tim Sawyer 3 Chris Stewart, 4 Iain Robinson, 5 Tom Dixon, 6 Dan Boatman 7 Dominic Morrison, 8 Paul Vinnicombe. 16 Jon Norris 17 Andy Dixon 18 Scott Butcher.

Stockport15 James Drew 14 Joe Cormack 13 Craig Cooper 12 Greg Newton 11 Dan Eccles 10 Steve Pearson 9 Andy Rimmer 1 Tom Cruse 2 Alex Hooley 3 Jan-Erik Andersen 4 Graham Chenoweth 5 Dave Marwick [c] 6 Hugo Corbett 7 Tim Oakes 8 Peter Bredenkamp 16 Zak Hammonds 17 Kieran Hibbs 18 Nigel Burge-Jones