Accrington Stanley made a good start to their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Maidstone United at Ashford Town’s Homelands ground.

Skipper Peter Cavanagh scored the opener for the Reds midway through the first-half before John Miles wrapped up the win in front of 213 fans.

However, the day was not copmpletely without incident.

The kick-off was delayed until 3.15pm because the Stanley team bus was delayed in traffic as they entered the Dartford tunnel.

Maybe that had an effect on the Stanley players as Maidstone matched them in the early stages until Cavanagh headed home Jimmy Ryan’s right wing corner.

And the Stones almost levelled seven minutes later as Ian Dunbavin spilled a cross and only a brave clearance from new boy Luke Joyce prevented Peter Hawkins from finding the net.

Paul Mullin came on for Stanley after the break and he saw a header go just wide while Ryan saw a shot flash just over the top.

The playmaker then set up Sean McConville but he wasted a great chance to make it 2-0.

McConnville went close again before his shot five minutes from time was tipped for a corner by Adam Harris in the Maidstone goal.

And from that flag kick, the ball fell to Miles, who converted a glorious curling shot to wrap up the win for John Coleman’s men.

Stanley: Ian Dunbavin, Peter Cavanagh (Luke Joyce 67), Pete Murphy (Alan Burton 65), Dean Winnard, Phil Edwards, Jimmy Ryan (Bee Ami 65), Andy Procter, Luke Joyce (Paul Mullin 46), John Miles, Michael Symes (Sean McConville 46), Bobby Grant.