THE eyes definitely have it for John Durnin. For it was his deceptive optical contact with Gravesend and Northfleet goalkeeper Charlie Mitten which led to his two-goal salvo and rescued a point for Accrington Stanley.

Former Liverpool striker Durnin burst onto the scene within four minutes of his second half introduction and got the Reds back on track after they had disappointingly let a 1-0 lead crumble away.

"The keeper said I gave him the eyes," Durnin explained.

"I just looked to the goalie's left and stuck it to his right.

"That's finishing in general, but it was great to see it go in."

A minute later, Durnin got Stanley back on level terms at 3-3 with another clinical finish following good work by Rory Prendergast, while Paul Mullin had played an integral part in both goals.

The Reds' leading scorer was looking to end the side's Conference campaign on home soil by adding to his tally.

But in typically selfless fashion, he inspired an encouraging comeback by turning provider.

However, it was a huge disappointment that Stanley had let things get to such a desperate stage.

Gravesend had enjoyed the most goalmouth activity but it was hardly rough justice when Stanley took the lead after just seven minutes.

They had produced the most attractive football, and with Prendergast causing problems for right back Lee Gledhill even at that early stage, it was hardly surprising that he was heavily involved in the build-up and execution.

Ged Brannan supplied the winger with a sublime pass to run onto, and credit must be paid to Prendergast for keeping his feet as Gledhill caught him from behind.

It would have been tempting to go down inside the area and try to win a penalty. Instead he kept his balance and showed great composure to bend a left foot shot, deflecting off Lee Shearer to steer it past Mitten.

Peter Cavanagh did well to keep Stanley's lead intact when he threw himself at Moussa Sidibe to stop the right winger's shot getting anywhere near Jamie Speare.

But the Reds goalkeeper wasn't so well protected just over 10 minutes later.

James Pinnock looked to cause problems for the Reds rearguard and succeeded when, after being shut out by Cavanagh and Steve Halford, he crossed for an unmarked Roy Essandoh to finish easily at the far post.

Had it not been for Darran Kempson and Halford unsuccessfully challenging for the same ball with Gledhill and Sidibe involved in the build-up, the chance may never have come about.

But the defence fell down again on a Gravesend counter-attack, parting to allow Steve Perkins a clear sight of goal. But take nothing away from the central midfielder for a superb, unstoppable strike which flew into the top right corner.

Brannan and Damien Hindle, returning from his loan spell at Rossendale United, went close as Stanley pressed, but Gravesend added a third just before the break.

A corner was conceded, arguably unnecessarily, and giant central defender Chris Moore - a threat at most set-pieces - towered in the area to thump home a header from Ben Surey's inswinging corner.

Brannan was prominent in attack at the start of the second half, but Stanley began to defend too deeply and Speare had to save bravely at the feet of Sidibe before gathering Steve McKimm's 25-yard dipping shot.

With manager John Coleman serving the first of a two-match touchline ban, assistant Jimmy Bell was ready to play his trump card and brought on Durnin for Hindle just after the hour.

Gravesend made a double substitution but it was Stanley's swap that proved to be the most influential as Durnin hit the visitors with a double whammy.

Cook's long ball from defence was flicked on by Mullin into the path of the onrushing Durnin, who fooled Mitten with his eye contact and cracked the ball to the keeper's right.

A minute later, Prendergast's left wing cross was again controlled for Durnin by Mullin and the striker didn't waste his chance to caress a sweet half-volley past Mitten.

The ultimate comeback was almost complete when Durnin, Prendergast, Brannan and Mullin all tried to test the keeper.

But, in the end, a point was a welcome result considering the first-half lapse and against a side that hasn't been beaten on the road since December 13.

STANLEY 3

Prendergast 7, Durnin 65 & 66

GRAVESEND 3

Essandoh 27, Perkins 33, Moore 42

Interlink Express Stadium. Att: 1,139

PLAYER RATINGS

JAMIE SPEARE: Stranded for all three goals, distribution let him down on a couple of occasions but gathered most shots well 7

PETER CAVANAGH: Showed tremendous desire by hurling himself into blocks and tackles. Had a sharp eye for spotting Mullin's runs 7

STEVE HALFORD: Weighed in with some meaty challenges but mix-up led to Gravesend's first. Made some firm headers 7

DARRAN KEMPSON: Immense in the air but also competed well when the ball was on the ground, making some important clearances 7

STEVE HOLLIS: Had his hands full with the pacy Moussa Sidibe but kept him reasonably quiet. Made some firm headers but was lucky to escape red card 7

ANDY PROCTER: Robust display on the right of midfield and looked strong in attack 7

GED BRANNAN: Made a vital late block from Matt Lee's hard drive and showed eagerness going forward with several shots 7

PAUL COOK: Very influential in midfield, always looking to get Stanley on the attack but worked hard at the back as well 8

RORY PRENDERGAST: Typically menacing display with his driving runs and dangerous crosses. Scorer and provider 8

DAMIEN HINDLE: Strayed offside a couple of times but worked hard against significantly taller marker 7

PAUL MULLIN: A handful for defence, as he has been all season, and provider for John Durnin's brace with well placed flick-ons. Showed great awareness 8

SUBS: JOHN DURNIN (for Hindle 61) 8, ANDY GOUCK (for Procter 86)

SUBS NOT USED: JON KENNEDY, JONATHAN SMITH, DEAN CALCUTT