Ian Craney netted a second stunning strike in a week as Accrington Stanley picked up three straight wins for the first time in a year by beating Torquay 1-0.

The midfielder’s goal 12 minutes from time was the highlight of a cagey match played in difficult conditions.

Craney received the ball from Joe Jacobson’s throw on the left, turned well and rifled an unstoppable drive beyond goalkeeper Danny Potter and into the net.

It was a moment of quality unlike anything that had gone before, and more than deserved to win the game.

Boss John Coleman kept faith with the side that defeated Crewe on Tuesday, meaning Sean McConville, who scored the winner in that game, again had to settle for a place on the bench.

But in gusting winds the Reds struggled to get to grips with the visiting Gulls, who had the best of the opening exchanges.

Alex Cisak made a routine save to deny Jake Robinson seven minutes in before Chris Zebroski headed Robinson’s cross just wide two minutes later as Paul Buckle’s side looked to take an early lead.

In contrast Stanley made little progress, with two Jimmy Ryan shots wide of the target all they could muster.

Cisak had kept his place at the expense of Ian Dunbavin and went some way to justifying his selection with two good saves after the half hour mark.

For the first he thwarted defender Mark Ellis, who rose highest to meet Craig Stanley’s corner on 32 minutes only to see Cisak push the ball behind for another corner.

And the Australian repeated the trick with another good stop five minutes later when Robinson capitalised on some uncertain defending down the Stanley right.

It seemed like their goalkeeper had ensured it would be 0-0 at the break, but as the whistle loomed the Reds made one final push to try to get a goal of their own and it was to prove a turning point.

Craney flicked a long ball from the back to Terry Gornell and the striker, on the shoulder of the last defender, looked to be through on goal. As he sprinted away Ellis clipped his heels, Gornell fell and referee Mike Russell immediately gave a free kick and sent Ellis off.

After the interval roles were reversed, with the 11 men coming out strongly. Just two minutes after the restart Phil Edwards galloped forward and tried his luck, forcing Potter to parry and a defender to clear.

Moments later Craney showed a glimpse of his very best form when he turned his marker, advanced into the box but wasted all his good work by shanking his shot well wide.

Like Craney, Charlie Barnett had also been a scorer against Crewe but was also denied just past the hour mark when his seemingly goal bound shot was flicked over the bar by defender Guy Branston.

Torquay were relying on counter attacks, but they still had their chances with Zebroski shooting straight at Cisak from a tight angle before the keeper held an effort from Ryan Gilligan five minutes later.

But increasingly all eyes were on Potter’s end of the field where the visiting goalkeeper produced a reaction save in the 74th minute after Craney had found a little space in a congested area to shoot.

Stanley’s number 27 was not to be denied again though as four minutes later he made the crucial contribution, powering in his second of the season to finally break the deadlock in some style.

The 28-year-old, who had been suffering from a virus, was about to be substituted when he took the shot and Coleman stuck to the decision.

The ovation he received when replaced by Ray Putterill spoke volumes about the quality of the goal.

The Gulls had battled well since the departure of Ellis and the scoreline seemed a little harsh on them, but despite throwing Branston up as a makeshift centre forward they struggled to test Cisak.

In fact the best late chance fell to McConville who could only find the outstretched leg of Potter.

Stanley negotiated four added minutes without two many scares, though Peter Murphy may not agree after he was left needing treatment following a late tackle by Lee Mansell, and the whistle signalled a third consecutive victory for the first time since January 2010 and a first clean sheet in nine games.

Stanley: Alex Cisak, Dean Winnard, Phil Edwards, Sean Hessey, Joe Jacobson, Luke Joyce, Andy Procter, Jimmy Ryan (Peter Murphy 90), Ian Craney (Ray Putterill 80), Charlie Barnett (Sean McConville 65), Terry Gornell. Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Kevin Long, Rory Boulding, Craig Lindfield.

Torquay: Danny Potter, Kevin Nicholson, Mark Ellis, Chris Robertson, Joe Oastler (Eunan O'Kane 83), Guy Branston, Craig Stanley, Lee Mansell, Billy Kee (Lathaniel Rowe-Turner 75), Jake Robinson (Ryan Gilligan 59), Chris Zebroski. Subs not used: Scott Bevan, Damon Lathrope, Lloyd Macklin, Danny Stevens.

Attendance: 1,543.