ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeper Elliot Parish put in a man of the match display for the Reds at Luton Town but was still unable to help John Coleman’s side return from Kenilworth Road with a share of the points.

The former Colchester and Blackpool custodian looked like he’d be the difference in a tight game between two sides eyeing promotion before conceding an unfortunate goal that his team mates couldn’t cancel out.

Coleman, banished to the stands following a two match touchline ban, reverted back to the side which had won impressively at Bradford in the FA Cup and set about quietening the home crowd.

Parish provided a sign of what was to come after eight minutes when he turned an 20 yard effort from Alex Gilliead round the post but it was largely the quiet start Stanley would have wanted with Glen Rea forced into a last ditch tackle on Rommy Boco at the other end and Seamus Conneely shooting wide.

The opening half an hour saw Stanley keep the ball and restrict their fourth placed hosts but the side managed by Nathan Jones then built up a head of steam.

First Cameron McGeehan hit the frame of the goal after Danny Hylton’s backheel found him in the box before Parish produced a fine double save, first from Rea and then the follow up from Jack Marriott.

That contribution meant it was goalless at the break and Stanley could set about asserting themselves again after the interval. Jordan Clark fired wide from distance in a rare forward foray but they looked comfortable in general as the crowd became increasingly irked.

Frustration levels among the Hatters grew when Alan Sheehan’s terrific free kick clattered down off the Stanley bar and Parish somehow kept out sub Isaac Vassell’s follow up.

Terry Gornell tried to turn the game in Stanley’s favour soon after, almost setting up Scott Brown before guiding his own low shot straight into the hands of home keeper Christian Walton.

With just quarter of an hour to go the home fans were celebrating when defender Scott Cuthbert’s header looked to be in – only for Parish to intervene with another class stop.

Sadly for him he was not to be rewarded, conceding just seconds later when a ball into the box found its way to McGeehan, he miss hit his shot into the deck and the ball looped up over Parish and into the net, leaving him no chance.

Walton made a routine stop from McConville as the Reds sought an immediate equaliser but their chances were boosted when Luton’s Jordan Cook was sent off for a silly challenge on Matty Pearson having already been booked.

Now it was Walton’s turn to catch the eye, the home keeper stretching brilliantly to turn Boco’s header from an Omar Beckles flick over the top for a corner.

As Stanley pressed it appeared Lady Luck hadn’t only deserted Parish but the whole team. A McConville corner intended for sub Gary Taylor-Fletcher instead was knocked towards his own net by Rea but incredibly Walton was able to shoot out an arm and shovel the ball out.

It may have been a good day for the goalkeeper’s union but not for the travelling supporters.