Stockport failed in a brave fightback bid as they crashed to a 4-2 defeat against promotion hopefuls Swindon Town at Edgeley Park.
The gulf in class was evident between the two sides in the opening 18 minutes when Swindon roared into a 3-0 lead, but the Hatters did battle back against their high-flying opponents.
The Robins got off to the perfect start against their relegation-struggling hosts as they went ahead after only four minutes when Brian Howard whipped in a free-kick from the right wing and Tommy Mooney ghosted in to head home at the near post.
However, the home team should have been level, but Stuart Barlow was twice guilty of not finishing good chances.
Midfielder Mark Robertson provided a delightful pass to set the former Tranmere Rovers and Everton striker through in the 12th minute, but instead of shooting, Barlow took too long on the ball and the Robins cleared their lines.
And two minutes later Barlow headed over from an Andy Welsh cross - it typified the Hatters frustration in front of goal.
It was no surprise when Swindon doubled their lead in the 16th minute, although County keeper Anthony Williams was partly to blame.
The on-loan Hartlepool man had sneaked off his line and that left Howard with the opportunity to execute a delightful chip which left Williams stranded as the ball landed in the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
And to rub salt into an already gaping wound, Swindon went three-nil in front courtesy of an Andy Nicholas header which looped over Williams, who reacted angrily to chants from the Stockport supporters at the Cheadle End after conceding yet another goal.
But Sammy McIlroy's team were not to be beaten into submission and their resolve showed when Mark Robertson reduced the arrears with a 25-yard thunderbolt in the 21st minute.
County's fightback continued and, if Danny Jackman and Aaron Wilbraham had both finished better - they were guilty of squandering excellent chances - the home team might have been only a goal behind at the interval.
But Stockport did pull to within a goal of Swindon after Barlow made amends for his earlier misses to smash home an Ali Gibb cross from close range in the 50th minute.
Wilbraham was then desperately unlucky not to level matters after his powerful header from a Gibb cross was brilliantly saved by Rhys Evans, the Swindon keeper.
But Swindon soaked up the pressure and made sure their trip home was a good one with three vital points when Mooney netted goal number four in injury-time.