ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman looked to the positives after his side’s defeat at League One leaders Ipswich.

Second-half goals from Gwion Edwards and Freddie Sears handed the Tractor Boys a 2-0 victory after their fifth win of the season.

Stanley dropped out of the top six as a result but Coleman felt it was a game settled on fine margins after his side saw several opportunities come and go in the first half.

He said: “They took their chances and we didn’t.

“The first goal was always going to be the turning point, it’s a great finish.

“It’s an individual error for the second goal but from a neutral point of view you wouldn’t have known who was top and who was sixth, no disrespect to Ipswich who are a very good side.

“We gave them enough to warrant a few scares. We have to stick together. This team is only going to get better, they are young, keen and work hard.

“The more they find their feet in this league the better they will get.

“We’re not little Accrington any more. People know they have been in the game when they play against us.”

Ipswich created the first opening when Sears was denied by Toby Savin who kept his place ahead of Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter.

At the other end Matt Butcher shot tamely at Tomas Holy and Ipswich survived a major scare after 19 minutes when Bishop fired wide after Holy’s clearance hit Andre Dozzell.

Accrington dominated much of the first half and Holy turned Tariq Uwakwe’s drive behind.

The hosts, without a recognised striker due to injury and illness with former Stanley man Kayden Jackson awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test, were disjointed but made Stanley pay for failing to take their chances after the break.

First, Sears slipped in Edwards and the in-form midfielder found the bottom corner after 55 minutes.

Sears then sealed victory with 19 minutes remaining, stylishly clipping Judge’s pass over Savin.

“Kayden got sent home to get tested,” Ipswich boss Paul Lambert said.

“He wasn’t feeling well. I’ve not heard the results yet, hopefully he doesn’t have it. We had to change things in training yesterday and we have so many injuries, even with four guys vying for one place.

“Accrington were strong, we knew they would be.”