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These teams may be separated by a considerable gulf in the Football League pyramid, but this was an occasion where the scoreboard, rather than the league tables, was more reflective of the gap between the teams.
The only metric in which this match was truly one-sided in favor of the Premier League team was possession. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner will of course point out the cold, hard facts of the afternoon. The victory allowed his team to advance to the fourth round. Job done.
But his counterpart Dave Challinor, who has done wonders guiding the county through the divisions, will be thinking about what might have been as they make the long journey back to the north-west tonight. Replaying those decisive moments of the game over and over again in his head.
What if striker Kyle Wootton had been able to head home? What would have happened if Isaac Olaofe had fired the ball just an inch or two further, out of the reach of Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner, and into the far corner of the net?
The reality was that Eberechi Eze's goal sealed the tie. Stockport midfielder Odin Bailey only half-cleared Daichi Kamada's cross. Eze snatched the loose ball like lightning, picked his spot and beat goalkeeper Corey Addai before any defender had even thought of chasing away the English striker.
But it would be difficult to highlight any other real moments of quality as the hosts made way for their League One opponents over the next 86 minutes.
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game as Crystal Palace beat Stockport County 1-0.
This was a close competition and Stockprot County will rue the many missed opportunities.
Oliver Glasner will point out the cold, hard facts: his team has overcome, even if it wasn't easy
Just before Eze's goal, the visiting team had been signing off on their dreams of reaching Wembley. Those chants never stopped after the county set out to climb its mountain.
Chadi Riad was making only his third appearance in Palace colors following his £14million move last summer, but Olaofe did not give him a warm welcome. He was too strong and more determined than Riad, latching onto a ball on the right before firing a cross into the box in pursuit of his strike partner Wootton. The County captain slid in at the far post but was unable to make decisive contact.
Palace captain Marc Guehi then fired into the side netting from a tight angle from a corner, but the real problem was in his own area.
Olaofe and Wootton turned out to be quite a handful. A Trent Alexander-Arnold playbook delivery from full-back Ibou Touray found the latter in the box but he was almost unable to keep his header.
Palace finished the half with 80 per cent possession and the last big chance. Once again it was the electric Eze who danced his way into the area and crossed, but saw that Daniel Muñoz was unable to make contact with the ball at the far post.
The hosts began the second half with the same dominance, but still with a painful lack of quality, imagination and impetus needed to open up Stockport. That second goal would have put the tie out of reach, but the slim lead galvanized the brave League One side.
The Hatters' best chance fell to Olaofe, a local lad born in Lewisham. He was alert and ready to attack a hospitable pass from Guehi, but saw his attempt deflected by Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner. It was the kind of moment Olaofe will repeat again and again when his head hits the pillow tonight.
Stockport's resolute defense opened up as they threw caution to the wind. Eddie Nketiah was unable to contain his effort after Lerma's long shot was brought down and in added time Addai brilliantly denied substitute Justin Devenny with his legs.