ACCRINGTON Stanley responded to the shock exit of manager James Beattie with victory at home to AFC Wimbledon in League Two.

The Reds saw boss Beattie surprisingly depart by mutual consent only 24 hours before the fixture but claimed victory thanks to James Gray’s strike seven minutes time.

It secured three points for caretaker boss Paul Stephenson, who has served as assistant manager to both Beattie and predecessor Leam Richardson, and moved Stanley four points clear of the relegation zone.