ACCRINGTON Stanley last night overcame a fierce challenge at Irongate to book their semi-final spot in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy.

Second half strikes by Paul Gouck and captain Paul Mullin were enough to see the Reds through despite several scares from the UniBond Division One hosts.

Bamber Bridge, who had enjoyed a run of five games without defeat, played their part in a thundering tie and could have stolen the show from their Conference opponents.

But a missed penalty prior to Gouck's opener and a host of near misses exposed the South Ribble outfit's deficiency in attack.

The first half ended stalemate but not without plenty of goalmouth action. Dean Calcutt blasted over from close range for Stanley on 14 minutes, while a free kick met by Brig's prolific striker Andy Whittaker five minutes later crashed against the underside of the crosscar.

A cheeky chip by Whittaker's striker partner Mark Wane on 26 minutes was smartly palmed away by Reds keeper James Speare and, at the other end, Glen Steel almost turned a low shot from Rory Prendergast into his own net.

Events livened up three minutes after the interval when Brig were awarded a penalty for Robbie Williams' tug on Whittaker inside the box.

But Jamie Squires, a succesful spot-kick merchant this season, blasted the effort straight at Speare and Whittaker smashed the rebound over.

It was on 55 minutes that Stanley grabbed the lead themselves. As players on both sides argued over a crunching tackle on sub Lutel James, midfielder Gouck had the coolest of all minds to lob delicately over stranded Brig goalie Cyril Sharrock and into the corner.

Mullin, hat-trick hero during the previous round against Fleetwood Town, then doubled the lead within a minute by hammering home from eight yards.

A tap-in strike from Brig wide-man Jamie Skeoch halved the deficit on 63 minutes, but John Coleman's men were well equipped to thwart the later danger.

BAMBER BRIDGE...1

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...2