Telford 1 Accrington Stanley 0 - Suzanne Geldard reports

CONCEDING a second fluke goal in as many games stalled Accrington Stanley's hopes for an end of season revival.

And manager John Coleman was left wondering not only when results are going to take a turn for the better but also their luck.

Cash-strapped Telford's Scott Green earned the super-sub tag after grabbing a deflected goal three minutes after his introduction.

Green free-kick, a debatable award in itself, then took a wicked bounce off the Stanley wall and wrong-footed Jamie Speare after the Reds stopper had already committed himself.

But the frustration was heightened by the fact that Coleman's men had created enough goalmouth activity to get something out of the game.

After getting used to a surface that was more like a beach with grass than a pitch - a particular disappointment given it is set in a smart, new stadium - Stanley had the better of the first half.

Winger Michael Blackwood used his pace on the left to aggravate the Reds defence, but Jonathan Smith's return to the heart of the rearguard gave them aerial protection.

Smith wasn't the only alteration to the side which lost at Morecambe two days earlier as Speare replaced Jon Kennedy in goal and Paul Howarth occupied the right flank in a 4-5-1 formation, with Lutel James on the bench.

And with Howarth and left winger Rory Prendergast providing good support to Paul Mullin in attack, Stanley looked as if they might claim a rare and much-needed away win.

After Speare got down well to deny Moore, the Reds broke and, after timing his run to perfection, Prendergast crossed for Mullin but goalkeeper Chris Mackenzie managed to flick the ball off his foot.

Prendergast then went on a strong angled run to earn a free kick on the edge of the box, which Paul Cook turned just wide of the right hand post.

In the meantime, John Grant had missed a good chance at the opposite end following neat play between Craig Stanley and Sam Ricketts, and the duo linked again for another Moore shot which Speare held on to comfortably.

Cook then produced an excellent double handed save from Mackenzie as he rifled the ball goalwards minutes before the break.

Playing towards the greener half of the pitch in the second half, the Bucks strung together a number of flowing moves.

With Peter Cavanagh in particularly resilient mood at the back, Stanley, in the main, had them under control. That was until Cook was penalised, despite getting the ball off Blackwood, just outside the area.

Green stepped up to curl it, Speare went to his right, but a wicked nick off the wall sent it past his left hand.

Dean Calcutt replaced Howarth on 66 minutes to provide fresh legs down the right. But it seemed to make little difference as Telford wide man Stanley and Blackwood went close before Speare palmed substitute Robin Hulbert's shot around the post.

Stanley had a late burst in search of an equaliser but it was always going to be difficult in the middle of an energy sapping 10 days, and with a poor playing surface to contend with.