ACCRINGTON Stanley returned to the top of League Two with their fifth successive victory as they won 1-0 at Mansfield Town.

Seamus Conneely headed home the only goal of the game at the OneCall Stadium in a match which saw the hosts play much of the 90 minutes with 10 men.

John Coleman made one enforced change for the game, with Ben Richards-Everton coming into the side for an unwell Janoi Donacien.

The home side started brightly and inside two minutes had an opportunity to take the lead. Striker Lee Angol looked to handle the ball in the Stanley box but play on was indicated and his fierce shot had to be pushed over by visiting keeper Aaron Chapman.

Coleman’s team took a few minutes to settle themselves but soon began to make chances of their own. Kayden Jackson drilled into the side netting before a Callum Johnson cross was deflected to Scott Brown and his strike from the edge of the box was turned away by Mansfield keeper Conrad Logan.

There were only 13 minutes played when David Flitcroft’s men were reduced to 10 men. Full back Mal Benning caught Billy Kee knee high just outside the area and though referee Andy Haines initially played advantage he soon awarded the free kick, consulted his assistant and showed a straight red card to Benning.

Sean McConville brought a save out of Logan with the resulting set piece.

Mansfield’s shock brought Stanley’s best spell of the half, with Logan racing out to deny Jackson from a tight angle and Kee’s volley deflected behind for a corner kick.

Flitcroft’s team organised themselves well though and came back into things. A free kick was flicked onto Bennett and another free header from him was tipped over by Chapman.

Referee Haines and his assistants were booed off at the break as both sides looked to regroup and find a way to break the deadlock.

After the restart Jimmy Dunne headed at Logan for the visitors before Kane Hemmings went even closer inside the other box. Hayden White’s low cross was inviting and the striker got to the ball first but inexplicably sidefooted wide from inside the six yard box.

Stanley took advantage of the let off on the hour mark. After a number of McConville set pieces brought half chances one paid off, with the winger delivering a right wing corner straight onto the head of captain Conneely who bulleted home his second of the season.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the Stags pressed to get back into it, with Mark Hughes scrambling out a cutback from sub Ricky Miller after he’d beaten Dunne into the box.

Mansfield continued to press but Chapman remained largely untroubled and the Reds began to threaten on the break.

One such foray saw Richards-Everton smash a shot into the side netting, with another seeing Kee threading in Jackson and his effort squirm through Logan before being cleared by Bennett.

In the end one goal was enough, with the win - coupled with Luton’s defeat at Colchester - enough to send Stanley back to the summit.

Stanley: Chapman, Johnson, Hughes, Richards-Everton, Dunne, Clark, Conneely, Brown, McConville, Jackson, Kee. Subs not used: Nolan, Zanzala, Williams, Maxted, Sousa, Rowan, Rodgers