ACCRINGTON Stanley climbed into the top three of League Two for the first time this season, as goals from Scott Brown and Terry Gornell gave them a 2-0 win at Luton Town.

The duo struck in the second half, as the Reds dealt with early pressure from their hosts to take another three points and leapfrog Plymouth and Bristol Rovers into the automatic promotion places.

John Coleman’s side arrived in Bedfordshire unbeaten in seven matches, but with one enforced change, with top scorer Billy Kee left out as a precaution following a head injury. That meant a first start since October for Gornell, who proved himself to be more than up to the challenge.

First, though, there was defending to do, with the home team roared on by a 7,000 strong crowd to create good early openings. When striker Jack Marriott evaded the attentions of Brad Halliday after just seven minutes and got a shot away, goalkeeper Ross Etheridge had to be on his guard to push the effort away.

Moments later the routine was repeated, though this time Etheridge pushed Marriott’s strike into the path of Josh McQuoid. Inexplicably, from the edge of the six yard box, the Northern Ireland international hammered the ball over the bar.

Slowly but surely Stanley began to impose themselves and soon, home keeper Elliot Justham was called into action. Gornell knocked a ball out from the back down to Josh Windass and his terrific volley was kept out by the Luton No.1.

Justham had to save again soon after when a Sean McConville cross caused chaos in the box, but was beaten when Gornell met a Piero Mingoia cross with a firm header that flew inches over.

It was a sign of what was to come, with the Reds breaking the deadlock two minutes into the second half.

Windass rampaged down the right, eased past a defender to the byline and cut back a pass into the box for Brown. The midfielder timed his run perfectly and placed his shot into the bottom left corner of the net to register his third goal of the season.

Now the home fans were unhappy and their team attempted to restore parity. Marriott saw a strike deflected wide, before substitute Paul Benson headed over the top.

Midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu looked the man most likely for the Hatters and he brought about Stanley’s most nervy moment when his venomous shot from a tight angle came back off the bar, before referee Peter Bankes turned down his appeals for a penalty as he tumbled in the box.

Coleman’s team weren’t content to sit back though and set about trying to extend their lead. A Windass free kick from 30 yards flying past the post was a warning – but Luton didn’t heed it.

Gornell had gone from strength to strength as the game wore on and provided the standout moment of the match seven minutes from time. Sub Tariqe Fosu did superbly down the left to cut back on to his right foot and deliver an inviting ball into the box, but Gornell’s finish topped that, the striker providing the perfect finish with a deft flick header that left Justham no chance. The 26-year-old set off to celebrate with the 123 Stanley supporters, ripping off his shirt as months of frustration appeared to pour out.

It almost got better as Fosu cut in again, deceived a defender with a stepover and lashed a shot just wide.

Stanley were the only team in the equation at the top not to have occupied a top three spot before the game.

Now they know that five wins will guarantee promotion to League One.