UNDERDOGS don't just need the magic of the FA Cup to rub off on them - they need Lady Luck to be wearing their colours with pride.

But for battlers Accrington Stanley, they'd clearly had their fill of good fortune in the competition's previous two rounds.

The Reds missed a host of chances in their first meeting with the Us 10 days before - most notably Lutel James hitting the bar and Rory Prendergast having an effort scrambled off the line - to require the replay.

But the finger of fate proved to be even more fickle at Layer Road last night as, despite creating some good openings and defending in typically resolute manner, there was a gut-wrenching sense it wasn't going to be their night.

Prendergast could have got Stanley off to a flying start but was judged offside when he had a clear run on goal from Paul Mullin's flick-on after just 10 minutes.

Soon after all hell broke loose after James had what looked to be a stonewall penalty turned down midway through the first half.

The striker appeared to have been clipped by goalkeeper Simon Brown when he had a clear run at goal.

Reds manager John Coleman went to quiz the referee about his decision not to award a spot-kick at half-time and subsequently became the centre of a showdown with the Colchester stewards.

The incident resulted in Coleman being required to take a seat in the stand next to former Blackburn midfielder David Dunn, who had travelled to cheer on the Reds in their cup quest.

After that, Stanley had a mountain to climb.

Already 1-0 down through Joe Keith's 12th minute opener, their fightback wasn't aided by referee Phil Joslin, who failed to acknowledge further penalty appeals after James was bundled over in the box as he and Mullin went for goal.

Five minutes from time, and after Keith had virtually ended all hope of the Reds earning their third Football League scalp of the campaign with his and Colchester's second goal, Stanley had to end the game with 10 men.

Steve Halford picked up his second yellow card and second red in as many games for contesting that the goal was allowed to stand.

The defender thought winger Keith was offside when he received the ball again from his initial free kick. He wasn't alone. But there was no denying that Keith had finished superbly.

Mullin, who Coleman agreed had been a thorn in Phil Parkinson's side in both encounters, got just reward for his and Stanley's collective efforts in a hostile environment when he nodded in what was ultimately a consolation goal.

It was no less than the Reds deserved. For, had it not been for a momentary lapse at the back early in the first half, they could have been taking yet another cup clash into extra time.

They knew a solid rearguard would be key to them being able to get anything from this game, just as it was at Bournemouth last month.

And they started strongly, with Robbie Williams intercepting Scott McGleish's wicked centre while Jon Kennedy got down well to smother Andrews' cross at the base of the right hand post.

Kennedy, drafted into the starting line-up in place of Jamie Speare, had a point to prove with Coleman showing that he won't tolerate unforced errors between the sticks.

And the former Sunderland stopper didn't disappoint as he denied Andrews with his legs on the edge of the box.

But by then Stanley were 1-0 down.

The pace of Craig Fagan had been causing Peter Cavanagh problems and it was the right winger who instigated the opener, bursting past the Reds' skipper to fire a dangerous ball into the box and Keith, unmarked at the far post, finished well across Kennedy's goal.

Halford made two important clearances as the Us looked to capitalise quickly, while Williams got a firm head to Keith's delivery.

James was then denied a spot kick after latching on to Mullin's flick on before Halford tested Brown with a low drive, and Howarth was unlucky not to score with a header in first-half injury time.

Steve Flitcroft almost found a way through early in the second half as Stanley attacked with more urgency.

Paul Cook, who had played a more defensive midfield role, was always looking to press forward and had the perfect chance to set up Mullin but played the ball too far behind the striker, then James was bundled over in his attempt to follow up.

While Stanley were looking more composed in their search for an equaliser, things started to boil over on the touchline, with assistant manager Jimmy Bell reacting to comments from the home bench.

Once play resumed, Dean Calcutt replaced Flitcroft so James could move forward from the right and partner Mullin.

And just as Calcutt did in the initial contest at the Interlink Express Stadium, he made an immediate impression and should have scored soon after his introduction.

Prendergast sent a ball over from the left, evading Mullin but dropping kindly for Calcutt. He took an age to prepare his shot but while his drive was hard when he eventually did pull the trigger, Brown more than matched his effort with a block on the line.

James then had a fierce drive ricochet off Mullin. And hope of making further progress started to fade when Keith completed his double whammy, drilling his left-footed shot into the top corner.

Calcutt instigated a late revival, crossing for Mullin to plant a header into the bottom corner with a minute of normal time remaining.

But, while their glorious cup run ultimately came to an end, they can take great pride in what they've achieved.

COLCHESTER 2

Scorer: Keith 11, 84

STANLEY 1

Scorer: Mullin 89

At Layer Road Att: 5,611

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

JON KENNEDY Nothing he could do about Joe Keith's goals. Made a great block with his legs to deny Wayne Andrews on the edge of the area 7

PAUL HOWARTH Got forward as often as possible and was unlucky not to score with first-half header. Played his part in solid defence 7

ROBBIE WILLIAMS Handled Wayne Andrews well as he kept up with the pacy striker. Got up well to make a couple of important headed clearances 8

STEVE HALFORD Made some strong challenges and good interceptions at the back and was also prominent going forward. Spoilt performance with late dismissal 7

PETER CAVANAGH Had his work cut out in dealing with the pace of right winger Craig Fagan. Was beaten several times in first half but battled well after break 7

LUTEL JAMES Should have been awarded two penalties - one in each half. Rose to the occasion and covered a lot of ground 7

STEVE FLITCROFT Gave keeper a scare with low drive after the break. Competed well in midfield and played some probing balls forward 7

PAUL COOK Was given a more defensive role and sat deep for long periods to shore up defence. Worked hard in getting forward at every opportunity though and again did a lot of running 8

ANDY PROCTER Won late fitness test to retake place in starting line-up. Demonstrated his great engine by chasing and challenging for everything 8

RORY PRENDERGAST Harshly judged offside after being put through by Paul Mullin. Battled defensively and moved from one flank to the other when Stanley were on the attack to provide good deliveries 7

PAUL MULLIN Wasn't given any protection by the referee but continued to cause defence problems. Deserved to get on the scoresheet 8

SUBS:

DEAN CALCUTT (for Flitcroft 69) 8,

JONATHAN SMITH (for Howarth 82)

SUBS NOT USED: JAMIE SPEARE, JOHN DURNIN, STEVE HOLLIS

COLCHESTER UNITED

SIMON BROWN 7

GREG HALFORD 7

SCOTT FITZGERALD 7

LIAM CHILVERS 7

SAM STOCKLEY 6

CRAIG FAGAN 8

THOMAS PINAULT 7

KEM IZZET 7

JOE KEITH 8

WAYNE ANDREWS 7

SCOTT McGLEISH 8

SUBS:

ROWAN VINE (for Andrews 76),

ALAN WHITE (for Fagan 87)

SUBS NOT USED: TRISTAN TONEY, PAT BALDWIN, RICHARD McKINNEY

REFEREE: PHIL JOSLIN 5