ACCRINGTON Stanley came from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Cheltenham Town, writes SAM ROBINSON.

Wes Burns had given the struggling visitors the lead when he headed home Matt Richards’ cross, but super-sub Shay McCartan equalised four minutes after coming on when he converted Piero Mingoia’s cross.

After recording successive league victories for the first time since October, John Coleman named an unchanged team and one of the beneficiaries, Gerardo Bruna, looked dangerous early on, fizzing in a cross which missed Andy Procter by inches.

The Argentine winger went for goal five minutes later, curling a free-kick wide of Trevor Carson’s upright before Josh Windass’ low shot was gathered easily by the goalkeeper.

Former Real Madrid man Bruna got the crowd on their feet, showing nimble footwork to get the better of Matt Richards and jink into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Procter, whose shot was blocked by visiting captain Matt Taylor.

Terry Gornell, who rejoined the Reds on deadline day from the Robins, had his first sight of goal when he got on the end of Mingoia’s cross, but headed straight at Carson.

Unable to make the breakthrough, Stanley paid the price and were hit by a sucker punch on 32 minutes when Cheltenham took the lead.

Matt Richards and Eliot Richards exchanged passes from a corner and the former floated in a cross that Scott Davies came to claim but the goalkeeper was beaten to the ball by Burns, who headed into an open net.

The Reds were forced into a change just before the break as Nicky Hunt was forced off with an injury. Kal Naismith replaced him in an attacking move which saw Mingoia move to the unfamiliar role of right back.

Despite Stanley dominating the opening period, the visitors ended the half the stronger with Eliot Richards curling over the barand Denny Johnstone seeing a shot blocked by Seamus Conneely.

Windass and captain Luke Joyce both had half chances shot wide from 20 yards in the opening minutes of the second half as Coleman’s men went in search of a second-half equaliser.

Cheltenham remained a threat, but when Coleman brought on McCartan for Conneely the change paid instant dividends as former Burnley youngster McCartan found himself on the end of Mingoia’s cross at the back post to slot through the legs of Carson and level.

Windass had another chance to net his first Accrington goal when Naismith’s pass crept through to him at the back post but Carson saved well.

Stanley continued to press for the winner. Naismith, who was moved to left back when McCartan came on, shifted the ball into space and hit a powerful shot into Carson’s mid-riff.

A draw looked increasingly inevitable, although Stanley had to survive a late scare as Cheltenham substitute Durrell Berry headed Matt Richards’ corner just wide of the post at the death.

Stanley: Davies; Hunt (Naismith 42), Winnard, Atkinson, Conneely (McCartan 55); Joyce, Procter; Mingoia, Windass, Bruna (Maguire 80); Gornell.

Subs not used: Dawber, Liddle, Barry, Bowerman.