JOHN Coleman paid tribute to ‘Jedward’ after Accrington Stanley rescued a point at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Stanley trailed 2-0 at half time, having seen Sean Hessey sent off early in the game.

But goals from Irish duo Kevin Long and Padraig Amond, who have become good friends since joining Stanley on loan at the start of the season, saw the Reds come back to claim a draw.

“The lads are saying that Jedward have rescued us because that’s what they call them, they’re thick as thieves the pair of them,” Coleman said. “I wouldn’t say they’re thick but they are thick as thieves!”

And the Stanley boss reserved high praise for centre back Long, who also proved an important figure in defence as the Reds went to a three-man back line in the second half.

Coleman said: “Joe (Hinnigan, Stanley’s physio) likens him to Ron Yeats when he’s in his pomp.

“Ron Yeats was a colossus for Liverpool on many an occasion and Longy was magnificent in the second half.

“It was like having two centre halves playing there. Every header he went for he won.”

Hessey will now serve a one-match ban when Stanley host Tranmere in their rearranged Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie on Wednesday, with Coleman hoping Dean Winnard will return from injury for the game.

Stanley have now incredibly drawn 10 of their last 11 away matches in League Two and Coleman said: “Going into the game we’d lost the same amount of games as the team who were top of the league, so somehow we’re going to have to convert draws into wins on our travels.

“I’ve got to be delighted with the appetite we showed in the second half.

“We’ve got to try to build on that and use this as a watershed and a turning point in our season.”