Stocksbridge PS 1 Accrington Stanley 3

ACCRINGTON gave their hopes of reaching the UniBond Premier Division a major boost by coming from behind to win this physical and often ill-tempered clash at Stocksbridge.

In a match which saw Stanley play the second half with only 10 men after the sending off of substitute Mark Brennan, the Reds dominated the opening 20 minutes.

After only three minutes Mark Shirley had a shot saved by Steels goalkeeper Andy Carney.

Five minutes later player/manager John Coleman latched on to a good ball by Jay Flannery but his 15 yard shot was well saved by the diving Carney.

Against the run of play, Stocksbridge took the lead on 22 minutes when former Burnley striker Wayne Biggins played the ball to Gary Hurlstone on the right and his cross evaded the Reds defence and another ex-Claret, Liam Robinson, stooped down to head the ball into the net.

Within ten minutes Stanley were level. Coleman struck a blistering 30 yard free kick that was too hot to handle for Carney and Shirley played the loose ball across the face of the goal only for Steels defender Lee Wainwright to turn the ball into his own net.

Two minutes later and another long range free kick by Coleman saw Carney scrambling to grab the ball at the second attempt. A good Reds move on 34 minutes saw John Doolan play a superb crossfield pass to Russell Payne, his header inside found the ever dangerous Coleman who fired narrowly wide of the goal.

With half time looming substitute Brennan entered the fray as a replacement for the injured Flannery. But he only lasted nine minutes before referee Mr Boyeson flashed a red card for violent conduct following an off the ball incident.

An action packed first half had one final dramatic twist, six minutes into injury time, a near post corner by Shirley was met by Coleman who headed in his eleventh goal of the season amid scenes of great celebrations.

Tempers flared again early in the second half as Steels' Sean Dunphy struck Hollis off the ball but escaped with a yellow card.

Stocksbridge almost equalised on 67 minutes as Carl Fothergill shot from the edge of the area but Jamie Speare got down to save.

Despite only having 10 men the Reds continued to have most of the play and five minutes from time Hollis played an excellent ball to substitute Mark Ceraolo, who found Payne but his shot was just wide.

A minute later Stanley clinched victory as Shirley cut inside and unleashed an 18 yard shot that was deflected past Carney to make it 3-1.