Non-league soccer: Well-earned point for Stanley

STANLEY collected a well earned point from their long trip to Whitby and could have come away with all three points.

The Reds gave a debut to their latest signing, Mark Patterson, and the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder had an impressive first game.

Accrington created two good early scoring chances, in the 13th minute from a long kick by Jamie Speare, Paul Mullin and Mark Shirley linked well to create an opening for Steve Carragher but his header was cleared off the Whitby goal line by Mark Taylor. A minute later good work by Patterson set up Mullin but his header went just wide.

The home side's best chances came from Dave Logan free kicks, from one Graham Robinson saw his header skim the top of the Stanley crossbar and from another David Goodchild had a header well saved by Speare.

Stanley's in form goalkeeper was called into action again on 36 minutes when a slip by Jonathan Smith allowed in Lee Ludlow but his shot was saved.

In the second half the match was held up for three minutes while Shirley received treatment following a foul by Danny Key and the Reds' winger had to be replaced by Russell Payne.

Payne was immediately in the thick of the action creating a chance for fellow substitute Liam Watson whose shot was saved by Whitby keeper David Campbell. Speare was forced to make another good save on 71 minutes when the unmarked Ludlow fired in a shot that Speare brilliantly saved.

Accrington finished the game strongly with Mullin having a shot well saved by Campbell and then in stoppage time Watson struck a fierce left foot shot from 15 yards that went narrowly over the crossbar.