Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe smashes the ball at his teammate to score a comical own goal in their 3-2 win over Rotherham.
The hosts went ahead on 13 minutes when Rotherham defender Sean Raggett deflected a low cross from Josh Dacres-Cogley into his own net.
But then came came that remarkable 42nd minute equaliser when. Hinchliffe, attempting a long kick forward only for it to strike the bottom of Joe Olowu and back into his net to make it 1-1.
Rotherham United will never score a more lucky goal in their existence 🤣 I’ve not seen that happen ever in Football FFS #stockportcounty pic.twitter.com/4rjLvTc2Fb
— Jack (@jackbyrne91) January 17, 2026
If Rotherham United were going to score today vs Stockport, it was always likely to be either from a penalty, a scrappy tap-in or own goal.
Own goal it is, and one of the weirdest ones you are ever likely to see… 😂 #RUFC
— Lewis Oldham (@LewisOldham99) January 17, 2026
Stockport County Own Goal #StockportCounty #rotherhamunited pic.twitter.com/F2AQf16Qzl
— Louie (@LouieJT20) January 17, 2026
Dave Challinor’s Stockport then controversially went back in front on the 55th minute lead, a corner headed into the ground by Kyle Wootton, then goalkeeper Cameron Dawson felt he was impeded as he tried to claim the ball which came back off him and rolled over the line.
Substitute Sam Nombe equalised for the away side five minutes later, then Stockport went ahead for a third time after 76 minutes through Andresson
Nombe also saw a chance come back of the woodwork in stoppage time as Rotherham tried to make it 3-3.
The result sees Stockport sitting 4th in the League One table, with 45 points from 26 games played, 4 points from Lincoln in 2nd, while Rotherham are 23rd with 24 points from 25 games and 5 points from safety.
Stockport boss Dave Challinor said: “I have not watched it back, but in any other game of football it would be a foul. I can understand why he would be disappointed.
“We started the game well and got ourselves in front. But then, I probably want us to do a little bit more, sense blood and go get that second goal.
“They then get themselves back in it and we lose discipline with our shape and the midfield becomes non-existent.
“We were affected too much by a freak incident that not many, or if any, people will have seen before. That happens.
“It was a moment that cost us in terms of our attitude. We went into our shells a little bit and I’m displeased about that.”
Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw said: “It feels like a lot of things are conspiring against us at the moment.
“It’s quite clear that some players are lacking in confidence and I understand that. That’s my job, to try and get it out of them.
“We saw the difference that Sam Nombe made and I thought Harry (Gray) was good, considering he’s 17. Harry’s got bloody knees, a scratched face and all the rest of it, but that’ll do him good.
“It was a real positive performance and the fact that it hasn’t got us any points is disappointing.
“I’ve only been able to put what I see as my best team out a handful of times this season, and that’s what’s killing us.
“There’s no disrespect to anybody within this squad. I trust them implicitly to go out there and play a game of football but fundamentally, you need your best players on the pitch and we have not had that consistently.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe smashes the ball at his teammate to score a comical own goal…
@CountyTFR: Genuinely at a loss as to what Hinchliffe was thinking here, can’t say I’ve seen many worse than that. We’re lucky we won and we can laugh about it because that could’ve seriously cost us valuable points. #StockportCounty
@stephenRB4: Keeper looking for someone to blame afterwards
@tigerroarcouk: if I was the number 5 I’d strongly object to that own goal being attributed to my name!
@SuperHoops1901: Unbelievable, what was keeper thinking. He made a total arse of that 😂
@StuartSimpson79: And the history books will show an own goal by no 5. 100% keepers fault.
@WrightyTheDJ: How is the keeper looking shocked and not just holding up his hands for an epic fail?
@agillatc: I’m seeing this for the first time 5hrs after it was posted, and I think if I was that defender I’d still be standing there trying to figure out what happened
@mikepumpkin: I’d be fuming at the keeper if that was me 😂😂
@MattLawrence39: Gets better every time you watch it
@KimmyQuickslice: I legit can’t stop watching and laughing at their goal keeper reaction, at the time some of us looked at each other at the other end like wtf just happened 😅 definitely a own goal to remember 😂 #StockportCounty #RUFC
@SuperHoops1901: Just watched this on EFL Highlights. There wee 3 own goals in this game & this was the pick of the bunch. Own Goal off his own hole 😂😂
@sparklydiamond: Our delayed cheer 😂 Don’t think most of us knew what happened 🤯😅 The most bizarre decision from the goalkeeper.
@JayLale: Can’t see any other own goals this decade topping this.
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