Accrington Stanley 2 Winsford United 1

ACCRINGTON Stanley could be forced into the transfer market after striker Peter Smith broke his leg in the UniBond League pipe-opener at the Crown Ground.

Action man Smith is likely to be out of action until October.

Phil Hutchinson was the Stanley hero - grabbing a second half double to get the Reds off to a flyer.

But Chairman Eric Whalley observed: "It was a great start to the season for us, but the result was definitely overshadowed by the injury to Peter.

"It looks as if we will be without him for around two months.

"That's a major blow to us so early in the season. We will probably have to look for a replacement."

Manager Tony Greenwood added: "The referee was woeful and the lad should have gone for his challenge on Peter Smith."

The Reds made an edgy start against a physical Winsford team and a 30th minute Les Thompson corner was cleared only as far as Danny Mills who fired in a thunderbolt of a shot that just whistled wide of the target. Ten minutes later a fine cross saw Andy Oakes punch the ball clear with Russell Proctor inches away from connecting. The second half began with Gelling replacing the injured Thompson in the Reds' defence. Stanley came more into the game with McCluskey having a shot smothered by the goalkeeper. Then Smith played a ball wide to McCluskey whose cross saw Challender fire the ball into the centre of goal for Gelling to just put the ball over the bar.

Stanley were getting more of the play without the end result. Smith hobbled off injured to be replaced by Hutchinson and almost immediately he had a chance to score when he broke free and shot only for Oakes to make a good save.

He then crossed the ball which was punched clear as it just evaded the onrushing McCluskey. Hutchinson then gave Stanley the lead when he received the ball 12 yards out and fired a shot hard and low into the crowded goalmouth that went into the net off the keeper on 70 minutes.

The lead was short-lived when four minutes later Winfield Steele, the Winsford substitute, scored with his first touch of the game.

On 79 minutes Stanley's man-of-the-match Phil Hutchinson chested down a ball that Winsford failed to clear, and he volleyed the ball home to make his return to Stanley a memorable occasion. Defender Davies fired just past the post with the Reds pushing forward and another effort from him was cleared off the line as the game drew to a close.

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