Jimmy McNulty refused to accept that the scoreline told the full story after Stockport County fell to a 2-0 defeat at Luton Town in League One on 2 September.

The Stockport boss was adamant his side had done enough on the night to take something from Kenilworth Road, arguing that performance and result had parted company sharply against the Hatters.

McNulty's take on the display

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after the final whistle, McNulty struck a defiant note. "We'll play worse and win," he said, a line that summed up his frustration with the outcome. He felt Stockport had controlled large portions of the contest and been unfortunate to return to Edgeley Park without a point.

The defeat adds to what has already been a difficult early stretch for County. McNulty was also forced to reflect on a 5-1 hammering in the previous week, which he admitted left the dressing room hurting. Back-to-back reverses will sharpen scrutiny on a side that had been given genuine promotion credentials heading into the campaign.

A tough trip to Kenilworth Road

Luton, meanwhile, will have been pleased to bounce back at home. The Hatters had their own difficult moment to put behind them after a 5-2 thrashing at Mansfield earlier in the season, a result that prompted a public apology from their manager Jack Wilshere. A clean sheet and three points against Stockport will have done plenty to settle the mood inside Kenilworth Road.

For Stockport, the manner of the defeat will sting more than the result itself. McNulty's reading of the game, that his side were the better team for significant periods, is the kind of narrative that either proves prophetic or becomes a persistent excuse. County will need results to back it up quickly.

What it means in the table

Luton pick up three points that ease any early-season nerves after that Mansfield result, while Stockport's start to the campaign now reads as mixed at best. A side with genuine third-tier ambitions cannot afford for dropped points to stack up before October, particularly in a division where margins between the top six and the chasing pack tend to be slim.

McNulty, though, remains convinced the performances will eventually be rewarded. His squad has seen significant movement in the summer window, with several departures and new arrivals, and settling a new-look group takes time. The manager's message was clear: the level is there. The points will follow.

Stockport's next fixture gives them the chance to prove it. A response on home soil would go some way to backing up McNulty's confidence, and supporters at Edgeley Park will be looking for exactly that.

Frequently asked

What was the score between Luton and Stockport on 2 September 2026?
Luton Town beat Stockport County 2-0 at Kenilworth Road in League One on 2 September 2026.
What did Jimmy McNulty say after Stockport's defeat at Luton?
McNulty said his side deserved at least a point from the game, adding 'We'll play worse and win' to underline his belief that the performance did not merit a losing return.
How are Stockport County doing in League One this season?
Stockport have had a mixed start, suffering consecutive defeats including a 5-1 loss and now a 2-0 reverse at Luton, though manager Jimmy McNulty remains confident the results will turn around.