ACCRINGTON Stanley paid the penalty in more ways than one after missing out on a place in the Conference Cup final on penalties to 10-man Stalybridge Celtic.

Both sides missed chances in the opening 90 minutes, Stanley were denied by the woodwork twice in injury time, while Chris Butler seeing his spot kick saved ended the Reds run in this competition. But it was perhaps their decision to withdraw Rory Prendergast midway through the first half that cost them most dearly.

Manager John Coleman had no hesitation in taking off the influential winger following comments he made to the bench in frustration after being roundly criticised by Coleman and player-coach Paul Cook for opting to cross instead of taking on his marker in a break down the right flank.

When Prendergast, who celebrates his 26th birthday today, turned to the bench and shouted "Get lost!" in a heat-of-the-moment response, Coleman immediately ushered substitute Gary Roberts to prepare for his introduction.

The swap was made three minutes later, greeted by a chorus of boos from the Reds fans behind the goal.

There is no doubt the winger was wrong to answer back to his manager but, in hindsight, it might have been better to hand out punishment after the game rather than disrupt Stanley's flow when they were well on top -- largely thanks to Prendergast's efforts -- despite a weakened line-up.

After that, the Reds offered little in attack until late in the second half when Paul Mullin replaced debutant midfielder Anthony Barry and Stanley switched from 4-5-1 to a two-pronged attack.

Stalybridge had carved out the best chances before then, with Kevin Parr twice side-footing off target when he was close to goal. Andy Parton forced a good save from the returning Jon Kennedy, starting his first game for Stanley since suffering a spiral fracture and ligament damage in early October, before dragging a shot wide then being denied by Smith's block early in the second half.

Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Mark Atkins, now player assistant manager with Stalybridge, also went close around the hour mark.

Stanley swapped experience for youth in the final half-hour of normal time in a bid to steal a late winner, and the move almost paid off as they got forward more but couldn't find the target, while Scott Bonsall hit the base of the post for Celtic and Kennedy saved well from Parton's follow-up.

Extra time beckoned, but there still wasn't a way through for the Reds as Steve Flitcroft curled a shot straight at the keeper, McEvilly saw a header crash down off the crossbar and out and Steve Jagielka's chip dropped wide after a goalmouth melee.

At the opposite end, Kennedy was tested by substitute Steve Smith and Parton.

McEvilly did find the net after nodding in the rebound when Mullin struck the bar, but he had been caught offside.

Terry Bowker was sent off for his second bookable offence with three minutes to go but Stanley couldn't take advantage of their extra man.

Penalties were inevitable, and the sides were still locked after McEvilly, Brannan and Flitcroft's spot kicks had all been matched by Parton, Nathan Wharton and Paul Sykes.

Left back Butler was devastated to see his penalty saved, especially when Ben Smith converted for Celtic.

Paul Howarth made no mistake with arguably the pick of the penalties, but Andy Hayward kept a cool head to seal a place in the final for the struggling Conference North side.