Accrington Stanley 3 Bishop Auckland 1

STANLEY returned to winning ways after three games without a victory with a 3-1 triumph over Bishop Auckland at a rain-soaked Crown Ground.

John Coleman will be glad to get his side back on track, after two defeats and a draw, as they recorded their fifth victory on their return to the UniBond Premier Division.

Gary Williams almost gave the Reds a second minute lead with a curling shot that Bishop's goalkeeper Simon Jones held on the goal line.

Jones launched an immediate attack and David Bayles had a shot superbly saved by Jamie Speare, Bayles should have scored from the rebound but again Speare blocked his effort.

Accrington went in front after 17 minutes, Russell Payne went down the right and sent over a low cross to Steve Carragher who unleashed an unstoppable first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area that gave Jones no chance of saving.

Bishop quickly struck back and drew level three minutes later from the penalty spot after Karl Bell brought down Danny Mellanby. Andy Shaw stepped up and made no mistake with his spot kick. The action was now end to end as Mark Patterson hit a 25-yard left-foot shot narrowly wide on 26 minutes and two minutes later Williams latched on to a long through ball but he lobbed it just over.

After 30 minutes Speare had to come to the Reds' rescue again blocking a shot by the impressive left winger Geoff Smith. Nine minutes later and Patterson unleashed another long-range effort that Jones got down well to save the former Blackburn midfielder's shot.

Accrington were awarded a penalty four minutes into the second half when Steve Hutt fouled Payne and Paul Burns restored Stanley's lead.

Victory was sealed seven minutes later, Carragher played a short corner to Burns, who whipped over a cross to the far post where Wayne Maddock headed in his first goal since joining Stanley.

Bishop refused to lie down and on 63 minutes Speare had to be at his brilliant best to save a Bayles shot from close range.

Man of the match Carragher almost grabbed a fourth goal two minutes from time, beating three defenders and striking a fierce shot that Jones did well to tip over the bar.