NEW recruit Jay Harris made a strong claim for a place in manager John Colmeman's starting line-up for the Reds' Football League return in just over a week's time.

The former Everton trainee finished superbly to earn Accrington Stanley a 1-0 win over League One side Blackpool as the Reds' pre-season campaign stepped up a gear last night.

And that's not the only thing that will further please the management as the Reds kept a deserved clean sheet and showed excellent fitness levels to dominate large parts of the second half.

They didn't have it all their own way, as Blackpool started the brighter. But the Reds stuck to their guns to prompt much optimism for the start of the new season on August 5.

Rory Prendergast was out to impress against his former club on his first return to Accrington with Blackpool a year after moving to the Seasiders.

But he had little joy against Stanley defenders Danny Ventre and Robbie Williams.

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot was also in decent form as he was forced into action early when Ciaran Donnelly's delivery from the right was met by John Goulding. The defender's bullet header was parried by Elliot, and the on-loan Charlton Athletic stopper was quick to react to claw away the rebound before a pack of Seasiders could pounce from close range.

A minute later, Sean Paterson thumped a header just wide from Donnelly's free kick.

But Stanley grew in confidence as the game wore on and Andy Todd twice went close to scoring his first pre-season goal.

The right winger, who signed a 12-month deal this summer, had his initial shot saved, and had a second chance with the follow-up but headed over.

Andy Mangan fired wide from a 25-yard free kick against his former employers, Paul Mullin - playing his first pre-season game after recovering from a hernia operation - missed a decent chance inside the area, trialist Joel Byrom cracked a 30-yard shot straight at goalkeeper Lee Jones and Andy Procter had a shot turned behind as Stanley went into the half-time break on top.

The momentum continued in the second half, with Mangan looking increasingly lively. Gary Roberts also sparkled in an unfamiliar attacking role after replacing the returning Paul Mullin at half-time.

But it wasn't until the introduction of Harris that Stanley made the breakthrough.

Within nine minutes of replacing midfielder Andy Procter, Harris intercepted a square ball in the Blackpool defence, charged to the edge of the D and smashed the ball past Lee Jones.

Blackpool offered little after that, but Stanley had three good opportunities to extend their lead. Roberts was twice foiled by substitute goalkeeper Kyle Clancy, who saved from Todd's volley two minutes from time.

STANLEY: Elliot; Ventre, Williams, Foyle, Edwards; Todd, Procter (for Harris, 60), Sargeant (for Boggan 62), Byrom (for Scales 66); Mangan, Mullin (for Roberts 46).

BLACKPOOL (starting XI): Jones; Slater, Goulding, Hoyte, Burns; Donnelly, Bean, Kay, Prendergast; Paterson, Young GOALS: Harris 68 ATT: 719