Red hot Ged is Stanley's goal hero

EVERYTHING happens for a reason.

But as Accrington Stanley have found out, you don't always realise what the logic behind events immediately are.

It might have felt like the end of the world following their 5-0 defeat at Stevenage Borough, but on Saturday they were on top of the world after their demolition of previous Conference pace-setters Dagenham and Redbridge.

Stanley manager John Coleman said after the Stevenage shocker that such a heavy scoreline might have been psychologically better for his side than a 1-0 defeat.

The mere thought of leaking five goals in less than 90 minutes would be enough to get them to re-focus on the task in hand.

And he has been proved right as, since then, the Reds tightened up, while goals have been provided from all areas of the pitch.

It was Ged Brannan's turn to take the limelight on Saturday, rounding off the game with a career first hat-trick after scoring twice from the penalty spot.

It was a remarkable achievement for Stanley, particularly as the early early indications were they would have to grind out a result at Victoria Road

A driving wind was causing problems, particularly for home goalkeeper Tony Roberts as his clearances and goal kicks often swung back a few yards in his direction.

Jonathan Smith, returning from his loan spell at Barrow, and debutant Anthony Gerrard were keen to bed in at the heart of the defence in the absence of Steve Halford and Robbie Williams.

And both made an assured start. Gerrard, on loan from Everton, was strong, quick and good in the air, while Smith protected goalkeeper Jon Kennedy well, racing in to make a brave challenge as Chris Moore burst into the box, firmly focused on winning the ball with no thought for his own safety.

As Coleman acknowledged afterwards, incidents like that can change the shape of a game. And the Reds used that solid platform to plough forward after both sides had been guilty of a slow start.

Ian Craney had a couple of chances before Stanley made the breakthrough just before half-time. Brannan picked the ball up from the edge of the box from Rory Prendergast's corner and his volley struck Blackett's hands.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Brannan tucked the ball into the bottom left hand corner. A perfect time to score.

The game was slow to get going in the second half, but Stanley had the better chances and added a second as Craney's shot from the right was deflected past the keeper.

Kennedy, who had seen little of the ball all afternoon, did well to maintain his concentration and save Glen Southam's long-range shot through a sea of bodies.

Prendergast was denied a penalty despite appearing to be brought down by Anwar Uddin, but when keeper Roberts lashed out at the winger and was subsequently sent off, Brannan was again called upon to oblige from the spot.

Substitute stopper Abiodun Baruwa went the right way, but the midfielder had picked his spot well.

Goal number four followed soon afterwards, with Craney picking out lone striker Paul Mullin with a curled delivery. Stanley's leading scorer had his first shot stopped by the keeper's legs but tucked the ball away at the second attempt.

Mullin could have added a second in injury time but had his shot from McEvilly's cross blocked, Smith suffered a similar fate from the follow up but Brannan made no mistake to complete his hat-trick and a memorable win.