JOHN Coleman silenced the Burton boo-boys with an injury-time equaliser - and Accrington Stanley then went on to clinch their third trophy of the season in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

UniBond League Cup winners Stanley travelled to League champions Burton to contest the Peter Swales Challenge Shield yesterday afternoon in front of 1,009.

Stanley boss Coleman - who said he was thinking of hanging up his boots after this season - admitted that he expected to get some stick from the home crowd following a 'love hate' relationship which started with their first visit their earlier in the season.

"I've got broad shoulders so I knew I could take it," said the Reds boss, who was said to have infuriated the home fans by attempting to haul the injured Dale Anderson to his feet in their first heated encounter at Eton Park.

But in typical Coleman style, the veteran striker answered his critics the best way he knew how - by surprisingly coming off the bench to score the equaliser and take Nigel Clough's side into sudden death.

And, after penalty practise last week when the Reds clinched the League Cup, Stanley were the favourites to add the Shield to the two other cups in the Crown Ground cabinet - the Lancashire Marsden trophy was the first one the Reds won.

Stanley were once more accurate with their first three spot kicks, Lutel James making it 4-3.

Then part-time model Alan Bailey rattled the crossbar with his and skipper Peter Cavanagh once more kept his cool to convert the decider - and send the Stanley fans into raptures for the third time this season.

In truth, the game wasn't a classic. It was not until late in the second half that it got going.

Up until then, Accrington had the better of the chances in the opening period but rarely troubled Albion keeper Matt Duke.

Former Bury striker Lee Buggie started for the Reds and was proving a handful for the Burton back-line while Andy Proctor's chip was tipped over the bar by Duke.

Jamie Speare was in top form at the other end, palming out a Bailey effort that was heading for the top corner. From the resulting corner, Christian Moore sent the ball in, Bailey prodded the ball goalwards and Dale Anderson forced the ball over the line to make it 1-0 at half-time.

Albion should have doubled their advantage just after the restart but Moore's effort was off-target while Buggie was still causing concern in the Albion backline forcing a superb save from Duke on 57 minutes.

Stanley's 34-goal hitman Paul Mullin headed just over with Duke scrambling after a free kick from Cavanagh.

Albion sub Craig Swinscoe then sidefooted an effort agonisingly wide while Accrington were unlucky when an effort from defender Jonathan Smith was diverted away from goal by his own player.

Then it became the Coleman show as he entered the fray just ten minutes from time for Buggie - to a barrage of comments which the player-manager just shrugged off.

And the once prolific striker proved that he still had that eye for goal as he instantly forced a save from Duke with a glancing header from a Cavanagh cross.

The player-manager ended up bloodied after a clash but his day wasn't over.

With two minutes of stoppage time gone, Albion skipper Darren Stride conceded a corner and from the resultant kick Coleman timed his run to perfection to stun the Eton Park crowd with the late equaliser - his first goal of the season.

And Stanley finally got revenge after two close league defeats to the Champions - now the Reds just want to be in their position next season.