ACCRINGTON Stanley were given a ruthless lesson in the art of finishing by veteran goal-poacher Andy Preece as Carlisle kept up the pressure on Conference leaders Barnet.

The former Blackpool and Bury striker might be past his best these days but he still knows where the net is and he marked his return to Lancashire with two accomplished strikes in a 12-minute period shortly after half-time to turn this game on its head.

Stanley were leading 1-0 courtesy of a cracking finish from Rory Prendergast when Preece suddenly made his entrance as a substitute at the beginning of the second half. Within four minutes of his arrival, United were level as Preece bamboozled Stanley keeper Danny Alcock with an improvised effort from a Karl Hawley cross.

Then 12 minutes later, the 37-year-old was celebrating again after his 20-yard snap-shot nestled in the bottom right corner - much to the delight of the Cumbrians' 1,000-strong travelling army.

Stanley showed admirable courage and determination to fight back after that as they launched an all-out assault on the Carlisle goal.

But somehow the visitors managed to survive a quite astonishing climax in which two separate Jonathon Smith headers were dramatically cleared off the line in the dying seconds, albeit in dubious circumstances.

John Coleman later argued the second of those efforts had crossed the line - a view shared by this observer.

But, sadly, the linesman patrolling the touchline in front of the main stand thought differently and Coleman was left to reflect on what might have been.

"It's a consolation that we've been the better side but it's not a boxing match so you don't win on points," said the frustrated Stanley chief.

"This is football and you have to win by scoring goals but we seem to be cursed at the moment and the ball just won't go in the net.

"And when it does go over the line, the linesman doesn't want to give it."

In fairness, Stanley competed well enough to have taken a point from a Carlisle side that will be there or thereabouts when the gongs are handed out at the end of the season.

But they've got to start converting more of their chances if they want to join United in the promotion shake-up.

It won't be lost on Coleman that Stanley have only scored seven goals in their last eight games and five of those came in the defeat of Northwich.

Such profligacy in the final third is the reason why the Reds have only won three of their last 13 games in the league - a concerning spell of form going into the festive period.

In truth, they carved out enough opportunities here to have won three games but, unlike Carlisle, they didn't have a predator like Preece to put them away.

Lee McEvilly was a real threat up front but he did most of his best work outside the box, while Paul Mullin - industrious though he was - saw most of the better chances fall to others.

Carlisle looked a decent side in the opening half hour and carved out a number of inviting openings.

Craig Farrell went close early on and former Burnley striker Kevin Henderson could have helped himself to a hat-trick as Chris Billy and Chris Lumsden bossed the midfield.

But as the half wore on, Stanley grew in stature, particularly once Prendergast swapped wings with Ian Craney.

It took a brilliant block from Lee Andrews to deny McEvilly then in the 40th minute, Stanley broke the deadlock.

Craney, Mullin and McEvilly were all involved in a slick move on the edge of the United box before the ball found its way to Prendergast on the right.

As Carlisle keeper Matty Glendon anticipated a cross, Prendergast stepped inside and curled an exquisite left-footed shot into the far corner.

The lead lasted just nine minutes before Preece controlled a pass from Hawley with his back to goal and swivelled to hook a shot beyond Alcock as the Stanley defence stood and admired.

Worse was to come for the Reds soon after as Preece bagged his second, seizing on a pass from Farrell to arrow a shot past Alcock from 20 yards via the aid of a deflection.

That set up a grandstand finale as Stanley, roared on by a season's best crowd of 3,024, sought a way back.

Paul Howarth had a shot wonderfully saved, McEvilly fired wide and Smith had two headers cleared off the line - the second from a Prendergast corner actually appearing to cross it before United keeper Glendon clawed it away.

But, sadly, on this occasion, the linesman wasn't a Russian.