GARY Williams scored a last gasp winner to secure Accrington Stanley a Lancashire Marsden Challenge Trophy final place where they will face Barrow or Clitheroe.

The striker, who had come on in the 70th minute, hit a 25 yard strike in injury time to give the Reds a good chance of collecting some silverware this season.

"It did take a bit of a deflection but I am delighted for Gary," said boss John Coleman. "He had to beat three players to get into that position and he hit it well.

"It just got a nick off one of their players and I was delighted as it meant I didn't have to stand in the cold for another half an hour!"

Extra time was looming when Williams scored as both sides struggled to break the deadlock in difficult conditions.

"The pitch was fine it was just the wind which spoilt it really," continued Coleman. "We were against the wind in the first half and created one or two chances and we seemed to think we had done the hard work at the break.

"But we hadn't and they came back and it could have gone either way. But to their credit, the lads kept plugging away."

The Reds are already in the semi-final of the UniBond League Cup - where they face Trafford at home - and he admits the pressure is now off for that one.

"We can go into that game knowing we are already in a final although being in two would be nice!

"But reaching this final keeps the season alive. We have slipped up in the league in recent weeks but we now know we have a chance of winning something."

The final is due to take place in April at a venue to be decided.

"There is talk that if we face Barrow it will be at Morecambe which would be great for us," continued Coleman.

"I used to play there and we have quite a few connections with the club.

"Plus, we should get a few fans there as some Morecambe fans will come and watch us.

"But we are not bothered who we get. Whichever team it is we have got to beat them. It is as simple as that."

One player who will have mixed feelings if the Reds do face NWCL Division One side Clitheroe is left back Barrie Hart. He left Shawbridge to join Stanley earlier this season.

"Barrie had another really good game for us. He was a constant threat," said Coleman.

"We were struggling as we were without three defenders. Paul Burns missed the game with an ankle injury, Steve Hollis is injured and Steve Halford had a couple of stitches on his shin following Saturday's game. So the whole team pulled together and did well."

BURSCOUGH...0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY...1

CLITHEROE'S trip to Premier League high-fliers Barrow was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.