Stanley boss John Coleman felt his side “meandered through the second half” following their defeat on penalties against Tranmere in the Carabao Cup.

A staggering 26 penalties were taken, with Mateusz Hewelt saving from Joe Pritchard while his counterpart Lukas Jensen kept out Rhys Hughes before it went to sudden death.

Hewelt then denied Shaun Whalley as the players stood up to take them for the second time to send League Two Tranmere into the second round.

Two quick-fire goals gave Stanley a 2-0 lead. Korede Adedoyin fired into the far corner of the net after 37 minutes before Ryan Astley’s shot went in off the post moments later.

Tranmere got one back in the 62nd minute through Josh Hawkes and, with almost the final kick of the game, Paul Lewis slid in at the far post to take the game to penalties, with Astley getting the last touch.

“They must have thought they were dead and buried at half-time and we should have been more than two goals ahead,” said Coleman.

“Then we meandered through the second half and gifted them two goals. Penalties are a lottery – there were some unbelievable penalties – but we are disappointed.

“Tranmere seem to have the hex over us. Whatever we do, we can’t beat them.”