Accrington Stanley 4 PRESTON NORTH END 2

THE battle for who will be Accrington Stanley's leading goalscorer this season is already on - even before the campaign has got underway.

While manager John Coleman had gripes with the two goals conceded, he was delighted with the four that went in his side's favour against a Preston side consisting of youth and experience, most notably in the shape of former Blackburn Rovers and Bolton player Paul Warhurst.

Lutel James, Ian Craney and Steve Jagielka all opened their accounts, while Mullin netted his second in three friendly outings, giving Reds fans reason to be optimistic of a goal-fest next season.

"We played some nice football. I was a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded but we scored a couple of good goals and we're improving our fitness," said Coleman.

"We haven't had the chance to work on our pattern of play in training yet but we asked them to try to win the ball in their half and we did that a lot last night, which was pleasing.

"There was some intelligent play, and the lads who like scoring goals got them."

Stanley had made the early running with effective new signing Craney having a shot charged down, while Jagielka couldn't make the most of Preston goalkeeper Gavin Ward's poor throw.

However, it was Craig Brown's Coca Cola Championship side who took the lead on six minutes, albeit through a Jonathan Smith own goal.

Ciaran Lyng swung a corner to the far post and, in an attempt to nod the ball behind, Smith found his own net.

But Stanley didn't let that slip-up affect their style of play and they strung together some impressive passing moves, with the lively James eager to be involved in the end product, either creating or going for goal himself.

The Reds still had their work cut-out at the back on occasions, with Smith recovering well to deny Accrington-born Joe O'Neill - brother of Stanley trialist Eddie and Burnley's Matt - a chance when he was through on goal.

But James' endeavour was rewarded when Craney and Mullin combined to allow the striker to guide the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

James was in the thick of things again as Stanley took the lead, this time supplying Craney with the chance to spin sharply and bend his shot past Ward, following good work by Jagielka on the right flank.

Mullin might have added a third on 40 minutes but his shot hit the post and rolled along the line before Preston equalised in controversial circumstances.

Michael Brown was flagged offside as he burst through on goal but placed the ball past trialist goalkeeper Danny Alcock. The referee over-ruled his assistant's decision and Preston went into the break on level terms.

Paul Carvill replaced a trim Lee McEvilly at the start of the second half to face his former club and he battled well. Stanley went on to make intermitent changes, but it failed to distrupt their flow and Jagielka made it 3-2 as he swept home a shot from just inside the area, after benefiting from Mullin and James' link-up play.

A good night was rounded off by Mullin, as he reacted quickly when Ward fumbled Paul Howarth's long-range drive and flicked the ball into an empty net.