STANLEY crashed to defeat at home to third-placed Radcliffe Borough in a match which saw them hit the woodwork six times.

Watched by a bumper Bank Holiday crowd of 687, Stanley's highest of the season, it was the visitors who almost took the lead on seven minutes when a good through ball by Ian Lunt found Simon Carden, whose shot beat Jamie Speare but came back off the crossbar.

The Reds launched an immediate response when a long kick from Speare bounced deep into Borough's half and Gary Williams struck a ferocious volley that former Stanley goalkeeper Steve Berryman brilliantly turned over the crossbar.

Accrington were awarded a penalty on 13 minutes when Richard Battersby brought down John Coleman but Jay Flannery's kick struck the inside of Berryman's left-hand upright and incredibly went across the face of the goal and hit the right-hand upright before being cleared.

Five minutes later a superb ball by Williams put Mark Shirley clear only for his shot to be turned onto the crossbar by Berryman and then Steve Carragher fired the rebound into the side netting.

Radcliffe took the lead after 32 minutes when Tony Whealing played a good ball into the penalty area which fell to the unmarked Paul Mullin and his left foot shot went under Speare. Undeterred, Stanley hit the woodwork for a fourth time on 34 minutes when Shirley struck a delicate chip shot.

Borough increased their lead on 53 minutes when a long ball out of defence put Mullin clear and the brother of Burnley midfielder John Mullin, fired the ball past Speare.

Stanley pulled a goal back six minutes later when Steve Hollis crossed to Coleman, whose header hit the post, but Mark Brennan struck an unstoppable 15-yard shot into the net.

The Reds launched an all-out assault but were denied yet again by the woodwork on 62 minutes when Williams crossed for Coleman.

Radcliffe broke away and clinched victory on 74 minutes when Lunt curled the ball home.

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