LEE McEvilly is known to many Rochdale fans as 'Evil' - albeit an affectionate nickname.

Among Accrington Stanley fans, however, he could by dubbed the Devil, short for devilishly good, after becoming an instant hit on his debut for the Reds despite taking up an unfamiliar role.

The 22-year-old, a striker by trade, was handed an immediate start just a day after completing a one-month loan move from Spotland.

But instead of disrupting red hot duo of Paul Mullin and Lutel James, Stanley manager John Coleman put McEvilly on the right hand side of midfield. And the decision paid dividends.

For just two minutes into his spell at the Interlink Express Stadium, McEvilly instigated the opening goal.

The Northern Ireland international chested the ball down on the corner of the box and laid it off to Paul Howarth, who drilled in a dangerous delivery across the face of the Lambs goal for James to flick into the net from close range.

McEvilly went on to make some powerful runs and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.

But, ultimately, despite Rory Prendergast and James both impressing with their neat footwork, it was goalkeepers Jon Kennedy and Jamie Speare who stood out.

Kennedy starred in the first half, stretching to tip over Mark Cooper's wicked, swerving free kick to prevent a quick equaliser for the Lambs.

Referee Paul Canadine had harshly booked Steve Flitcroft for his challenge on Mark Cooper around 25 yards out. There was clearly no harm done as the midfielder recovered to test Kennedy to the limit.

Then, after Kennedy was replaced at the start of the second half after suffering a knock while bravely claiming a high cross, Speare produced numerous acrobatics - including leaping for a header outside his area - to secure a clean sheet.

Speare's antics were the highlights of a second half which were vastly different from the opening 45 minutes.

Perhaps the Reds had become victims of their own bright start as, after James opened the scoring, his double act with Mullin came to the fore with the leading goalscorer making it 2-0 after just 12 minutes.

Prendergast won possession from Rob Warner, who was struggling to handle the left winger, and drilled in a superb centre, for Mullin to volley the ball past Richard Brush.

Tamworth were strong going forward, battled well in midfield but looked dishevelled and weak at the back.

So Stanley will be disappointed they allowed themselves to take their foot off the gas when they seemed likely to score a hatful.

McEvilly almost created a third just before the hour when his long clearance from the byeline dropped perfectly for Mullin. The striker sprayed the ball left and Prendergast fired in a searching ball for James inside the area, but it was cut out by Brush.

Mullin was then unlucky to miss an open net after the keeper scuffed his clearance but recovered to smother the ball, while Tamworth too had half chances but their battling second half display was marred when substitute Brett Darby was stretchered off after he had been on the pitch for just 31 minutes.

Stanley were harshly reduced to 10 men when Peter Cavanagh picked up his second yellow card with four minutes remaining.

But that didn't stop Mullin from adding his second to complete an important win after Andy Procter just failed to round the keeper as he sought to score himself.

STANLEY 3

Scorer: James 5; Mullin 12, 90

TAMWORTH 0

Interlink Express Stadium

Att: 1,301

Player ratings

STANLEY

JON KENNEDY Sacrificed at half-time after picking up a knock but played his part by tipping Mark Cooper's wicked free-kick over the bar 7

PAUL HOWARTH Superb in the first half as he set up the first goal and his deliveries could easily have led to more. Quieter after break as Stanley took foot off gas 7

ROBBIE WILLIAMS Won his fair share of headers to keep the rangy Brian Quailey reasonably quiet 7

STEVE HALFORD Stood firm in defence and made some brave blocks, most notably from David Robinson as he shaped to shoot from close range 7

PETER CAVANAGH Another accomplished performance at left back, defending as far up the field as possible. Sent off following second yellow card four minutes from time 7

LEE McEVILLY Made a good impression on his debut and went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Instigated Lutel James' opener and looked strong in unfamiliar position 7

STEVE FLITCROFT Was walking a tightrope after early booking but competed well and never shirked a challenge 7

ANDY PROCTER Worked relentlessly and kept possession well. Did his bit in attack and defensively 7

RORY PRENDERGAST Like lightning on the left, tormenting fullback Rob Warner with his pace and incisive deliveries. Made important clearances at back too 8

LUTEL JAMES Looked sharp, mesmerising defence with his tricky footwork as he partnered Paul Mullin up front in 4-4-2 formation. Took goal well 8

PAUL MULLIN Superb volley for Stanley's second - instinctive reactions to Prendergast's wicked delivery 8

SUBS: JAMIE SPEARE (for Kennedy 46) 8, STEVE HOLLIS (for James 89)

SUBS NOT USED: JOHN DURNIN, JONATHAN SMITH, DEAN CALCUTT.

TAMWORTH

RICHARD BRUSH 7

ROB WARNER 5

DAVID ROBINSON 5

JAMES RODWELL 5

RICHARD DRYDEN 5

NICHOLAS SMITH 6

MARK COOPER 7

RICHARD FOLLEY 6

JASON BLUNT 6

BRIAN QUAILEY 7

PAUL BARNES 7

SUBS: BRETT DARBY (for Warner 54) 7, NORMAN SYLLA (for Quailey 67) 6, JAMES FOX (for Darby 85).

SUBS NOT USED: KARL JOHNSON, TOM JORDAN

REFEREE: Paul Canadine 5