IT was as if John Coleman had never been away.

As games of football go, Accrington’s Stanley’s wins over Northampton and Plymouth were like chalk and cheese but the crucial thing is that Coleman’s side picked up the same amount of points for both.

A week after a nine-goal thriller at Sixfields a Stanley rearguard action saw them hang on to beat the Pilgrims 1-0 and continue their 100 per cent record since Coleman’s return.

Goalkeeper Aaron Chapman came in for his debut at the Store First Stadium as one of two changes and faced an early test from an Argyle side looking to push into play-off contention.

Marvin Morgan headed over before Nathan Thomas met a Lewis Alessandra cross at the far post and forced Chesterfield loanee Chapman to tip the effort over the top.

After weathering the storm, the Reds began to play, with Kal Naismith chancing his arm from distance with a strike too hot for Luke McCormick handle only for Carl McHugh to hack clear with Rob Atkinson.

Naismith was not to be thwarted in the next attack as the Reds, buoyed by a boisterous Clayton End, produced a fine move.

Sean Maguire picked out Josh Windass and he repaid a starting chance with a turn and pass Naismith inside the area. From a tight angle on the right the former Rangers man drilled the ball low and beat McCormick at his near post.

Moments later Maguire tried a spectacular long range effort which McCormick held but Plymouth began to respond with Curtis Nelson heading over and McHugh also off target from a set piece.

Naismith had a good chance to make it two when Aldred’s clearance bounced over Nelson and allowed him to race away but the delicate chip over McCormick dropped wide of the post.

After the break the stage was set for John Sheridan’s visitors to throw the kitchen sink at their hosts.

The impressive Chapman improvised a save with his legs from Thomas before a last ditch Atkinson tackle thwarted Dom Blizzard inside the area.

A series of Argyle corners had the defence on its toes, with Naismith clearing one delivery out from under the crossbar, but a true defensive team effort saw the visitors continue to be frustrated.

That frustration would have been irredeemable with nine minutes left but for McCormick, who produced a wonderful save to keep out a header from John O’Sullivan following a lightning quick Stanley counter attack.

With the deficit still one Plymouth through caution to the wind and on 86 minutes Chapman was finally beaten by right back Kelvin Mellor after a run in to box – only for Nicky Hunt to clear the ball off the line.

Plymouth’s forays became increasingly speculative and Blizzard summed it up with a 30 yard strike which was easily held by Chapman.

Young Argyle full back Ben Purrington suffered a suspected broken wrist late on, leading ref Nigel Miller to add seven minutes of stoppage time but Coleman’s team kept their shape and their cool to ensure back-to-back wins.