ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman was disappointed with his side's performance against mid-table Runcorn and said it was a game his side should have won.

Mike Tomlinson scored the winner for the home side on 21 minutes in this UniBond Premier Divison clash at the Autoquest Stadium but Coleman's side had lots of opportunities to equalise and even win the game.

The Reds were without the suspended duo Jonathan Smith and Peter Cavanagh, who were replaced by Paul Burns and Paul Howarth, and they missed the quality of the towering centre half and the former Liverpool trainee.

The best Reds chance fell to Gary Williams on the half-hour who saw his header come off the post and bounce agonisingly across the goal line.

The good playing surface suited Stanley's passing game but the Reds had no joy in front of goal and despite having the best of the play in both halves they were unable to turn the game around.

"I don't think we played particularly well," said manager Coleman.

"I think we should have had more about us to go and win the game. We conceded some set pieces that were unnecessary and their goal came from a set piece which was disappointing because we we knew they had quality when it came to free kicks."

Tomlinson headed home a free kick which was floated in to the far post.

"It was disappointing to concede like that," said Coleman.

And he said of Williams' chance: "Gary Williams hit the post and if that had gone in you would have faniced us to go on and win the game.

"We had a lot of possession and we had a couple of chances in the second half.

"Lutel James played a good one-two to put Gary Williams clean through and the keeper made a good save.

"Russell Payne had a shot saved from about 12 yards and Gary put the ball in the side netting.

"Paul Mullin put a chance wide as well so we had the chances and it was one of those games where if we'd scored a couple and won everyone would have said we'd played well but I don't think we did."

Stanley now look forward to the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy semi-final clash against Burscough tomorrow.

"We have a semi-final to look to now so we won't be wallowing in this defeat," said Coleman.

"We go into every game feeling confident and we are about the Burscough one.

"We have beaten them twice this season and they have beaten us once so we know a bit about each other."

Paul Burns is a doubt after he came off yesterday with an ankle injury.

RUNCORN...1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY...0