Dave Challinor wants Malik Mothersille to add scruffy goals to repertoire

Dave Challinor challenged record signing Malik Mothersille to add “scruffy” goals to his repertoire after a debut strike set Stockport on the way to a 2-0 League One win over Bolton.

The former Peterborough star deflected an Oliver Norwood shot beyond Teddy Sharman-Lowe in the second minute of first half stoppage time before Kyle Wootton headed in the points clincher after 89 minutes.

“Mal has high expectations for himself in terms of numbers he wants to get,” said manager Challinor of a player who bagged 16 goals in 57 appearances for Posh last season.

“But in order to get numbers, he is going to have to score scruffy ones. He isn’t going to score worldies every week.

“Yes, he will score some special ones. But when you are in forward positions some hit you and go in. So that will certainly help.

“It’s great he’s off the mark, especially here in his first game. Hopefully it bodes well.”

County, who completed a third-tier double over the Trotters last season, rode their luck before Mothersille’s big moment.

Xavier Simons hit a post, Corey Addai saved well from Amario Cozier-Duberry, Carlos Mendes Gomes and Thierry Gale while Max Conway also crashed a shot against the woodwork at 1-0.

“I was disappointed with our first half performance,” admitted Challinor. “We were lucky to go in in front. We would have been fortunate to go in level.

“We were desperate for half-time so I could speak to the players. We were much better in the second half in terms of what I want our team to look like.

“So, it is a brilliant three points but with plenty to work on.”

Wanderers went into the contest buoyed by five pre-season wins. But they failed to capitalise on countless chances leaving Steven Schumacher a frustrated boss.

“I thought we didn’t deserve to lose,” said Schumacher. “We created enough opportunities again in some brilliant areas but didn’t make the most of them.

“The two moments that mattered they were more clinical than we were. So disappointed to lose but enough positives knowing  against a good team we created enough chances to win the game.

“I thought the performance was okay. We didn’t feel under pressure for many moments, and we got into good areas from an attacking point of view.

“Granted, their keeper made a couple of good saves but we also missed the target from areas where we can’t miss the target.

“In these big and tight games you have got to be clinical.”