COMETH the hour, cometh the man.

Billy Kee had not found the net in the opening three League One games of the season having wont the fourth tier golden boot last season.

But anyone doubting the Stanley striker’s ability to cut it at this level needn’t have worried as his brace capped a comeback 3-2 victory for John Coleman’s side in an entertaining game at Oxford United.

The home side twice led but were twice pegged back by Stanley, first through Ross Sykes’s acrobatic effort late in the first half and then by a predatory Kee volley just after the hour.

And the visitors, who were much improved in the second half, collected all three points thanks to Kee’s spot kick 11 minutes from time.

The Reds did it the hard way though.

Oxford’s opener came when Gavin Whyte skipped past Ben Richards-Everton too easily on the right and fired a fierce drive which was past Connor Ripley before he knew it and into the roof of the net.

The home side came close to a second eight minutes before the break. A stretching Richards-Everton could only head his defensive clearance infield and it fell to Whyte whose powerful low drive cannoned off the post.

But, somewhat against the run of play, Stanley were level just before the interval. Sean McConville’s corner bounced through to the back post where Sykes, under pressure from Cameron Norman, hooked the ball up and over a stranded Jonathan Mitchell in the home goal.

Sykes had also had Stanley’s only over chance of a note in the first half when, on 22 minutes, he headed wide from three yards.

The visitors were much improved after the break.

Sam Finley should have done better when he raced clear as the home defence parted but Mitchell was equal to his effort.

And it was a miss that proved costly as Oxford re-took the lead on 57 minutes. Stanley wanted a free kick for a foul on Jordan Clark but none was forthcoming and Marcus Browne galloped into space down the left, cut inside and curled home a super effort into the top corner.

Once again Stanley responded. This time within five minutes through a familiar face. Kee showed his attacking instincts to lash home a volley after the ball broke to him in the box.

The goal lifted the visitors who threatened again through Seamus Conneely but his side footed effort was blocked before Finley volleyed just wide from 25 yards.

Substitute Offrande Zanzala then went closer still as he latched onto Kee through ball, held off the defender and rounded Mitchell but the angle was tight and his shot found the side netting.

Stanley’s dominance was rewarded with Kee’s second of the night 11 minutes from time and it came from the penalty spot. Clark’s run inside was ended by Josh Ruffels’ trip and the Stanley frontman made no mistake from 12 yards.

Zanzala had the ball in the net again for Stanley only to be denied by the offside flag but it mattered little as the Reds held on comfortably to secure the points.

Stanley: Connor Ripley; Callum Johnson, Mark Hughes, Ross Sykes, Ben Richards-Everton (Nick Anderon 56); Jordan Clark, Seamus Conneely, Scott Brown (Offrande Zanzala 52), Sam Finley, Sean McConville; Billy Kee.

Subs: Jonny Maxted, Matty Platt, Andy Mangan, Liam Nolan, Piero Mingoia.

Booked: Brown, McConville, Sykes, Ripley

Oxford: Jonathan Mitchell, Cameron Norman, Curtis Nelson, John Mousinho, Josh Ruffles; Jamie Hanson, Cameron Brannagan (Jamie Mackie 87); Gavin Whyte, James Henry (Sam Smith 75), Marcus Browne; Jon Obika.

Subs: Scott Shearer, Luke Garbutt, Rob Dickie, Shandon Baptiste, Tony McMahon.

Booked: Browne, Brannagan, Norman

Attendance: 5,748 (118 away)