OLDHAM ATHLETIC – 0

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – 3

ACCRINGTON Stanley progressed to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy with a game to spare with a 3-0 win against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

The Reds took the lead through Sadou Diallo after he scored an absolute rocket of a hit. Offrande Zanzala doubled the lead from the spot.

Dylan Fage was shown a red card for a late tackle before Jordan Clark scored a sublime chip in the dying stages of the match.

Stanley started brightly as Clark picked up the ball and looked to link up with his forwards.

The wide man drove with the ball and tried to slip in Diallo, but the pass just wasn’t strong enough.

Minutes after that, Oldham should have taken the lead through centre half Jamie Stott after his header from a corner produced a fine reflex save from Toby Savin in the Stanley goal.

Oldham could have scored yet again in the opening 10 minutes as another free header, this time falling to Kielen Adams, was not made the most of.

Stanley were under pressure yet again after a Jonny Smith free-kick was dealt with well by Savin – he palmed the ball wide enough to stop Oldham having a tap in.

The opening goal came on the half hour mark as Clark played a free-kick to Diallo and he’s hit an absolute beauty from 25-yards out into the top corner.

Gregor Zabret had no chance.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Clark dropped into space in the box and was found with a pass.

Clark opened up his body and looked to curl one towards the top corner, but Zabret produces a fine save.

On the stroke of half-time, Lamin Kaba Sherif was brought down in the box and a penalty was given – much to the dismay of the home faithful.

Zanzala stepped up and tucked the penalty away with confidence.

Dylan Fage was sent for an early shower in the final minute of the half after he put in a very late tackle in midfield.

Stanley came out for the second half confidence and were passing the ball around with a swagger in the opening stages.

Oldham had it all to do to get back in the game as they were two goals and a man down, but they had a spell of possession that resulted in a chance.

The shot from the edge of the box was weak and straight into the grateful hands of the young Stanley goalkeeper.

Clark got his name on the scoresheet after some wonderful passing put him through on goal where he brilliantly lifted the ball over Zabret – the Oldham fans clapped because the goal was that good.

Oldham XI: Zabret, Iacovitti, Stott, Wilson, Missilou (78’ Smith-Brown), Fage, Sylla, Smith (73’ Kokos), Adams, Egert, Hamer

Unused subs: Allen, Maouche, Gonzales, Wheater

Stanley XI: Savin, Edwards, Sykes, Rodgers, Francis-Angol, Clark (88’ De Sousa), Barclay, Diallo (60’ Finley), Sherif, Carvalho, Zanzala (70’Charles)

Unused subs: Evtimov, Pritchard, Maguire, Opoku