STANLEY midfielder Andy Gouck may have grabbed the headlines with his superb volley in the FA Cup, but his strike at Hilton Park may prove more important for the Reds as the season unfolds.

The 31-year-old's stunning volley that sent third division Huddersfield Town crashing to FA Cup defeat in front of the BBC cameras in the FA Cup's first round was worthy of all the re-runs it has been given, but Conference points are precious for Accrington and Gouck's 14th minute opener was a crucial factor in an awkward away game at Hilton Park.

While Leigh may be struggling in the bottom three of the Conference the points still had to be won and, on a day when gale-force winds and lashing rain made football almost impossible, the Reds set about their job manfully.

The worst of the weather struck midway through the first half and Stanley defenders found clearances being blown back over their heads, but fortunately Gouck had already given them the cushion of a one-goal lead and Paul Howarth added a second as the storm subsided just before half-time.

"The conditions made it very difficult and in the middle of the first half the wind just came from nowhere and it put our backs against the wall," said Gouck.

"We were just delighted to go in to half-time two up, but we knew we had to keep things pretty tight as the weather ensured that it was never going to be a day for pretty stuff.

"It was a bit of a slog, but I felt that the way we played shows that this side has got some steel about it."

Gouck's goal came from the first clear-cut chance of the game, but it required alertness and persistence.

Paul Cook set up the attack, skipper Pete Cavanagh supplied the cross to the back post where Gouck's initial header was parried by Leigh keeper Gary Kelly, but the midfielder managed to stab the loose ball into the corner of the net.

"Over the last 10 games or so I feel I have been getting into some good positions in and around the box," said Gouck.

"And fortunately the goals have started going in. That's five for the season now and some of them have been pretty important ones."

Leigh keeper Kelly was to prove a difficult man to beat as he saved Stanley's next two efforts from Gouck, a 25-yard drive, and a Cook free-kick, but after those forays Stanley spent most of the rest of the half quite literally weathering the storm.

The wind didn't really play into Leigh's hands. Any pass that was played forward was picked up by the wind and transported over the Stanley dead ball-line with no one able to keep up with it.

Just before the interval the winds dropped and Stanley managed to grab a crucial second goal.

Again Cavanagh supplied a good cross, striker Paul Mullin touched the ball on at the near post and, arriving at the back post unmarked, right back Howarth forced the ball home, his second goal in consecutive Conference games as well as supplying the killer FA Cup blow in the penalty shootout against Bournemouth on Monday night.

Leigh had looked lightweight going forward but a switch at half-time saw former Manchester United junior Ian Fitzpatrick replaced by Carl Rezai, which in turn gave Andy Roscoe more scope to attack down the left flank.

RMI's first real chance saw Neil Durkin shoot just wide, but Stanley were still creating the better chances and Kelly had to be quickly off his line to deny Mullin after he had been played in by Lutel James.

On 67 minutes the Mullin-James axis opened up the door again, but Kelly was equal to Steve Flitcroft's effort.

Leigh countered with former Manchester City star Steve Redmond shooting just over the bar, but Stanley were on top and Steve Halford, Flitcroft and Mullin will all still be wondering how they did not add to the tally from good opportunities.

With two minutes remaining the raiding of Roscoe down the left finally paid dividends for RMI as his cross was steered home by ex-York City front-runner David McNiven.

But Stanley still found time to stage the final attack and Mullin, who with a little luck could have had a hat-trick, lifted his shot over the bar as he tried to find a way past Kelly having been put through by Flitcroft.

PLAYER RATINGS

Accrington (4-5-1)

JAMIE SPEARE Never really put under threat...6

PAUL HOWARTH Tidy finish and tidy defending...7

STEVE HALFORD Strong in the middle...7

ROBBIE WILLIAMS Coped with awkward conditions...6

PETE CAVANAGH Supplied some great crosses...7

LUTEL JAMES Combined well with Mullin...7

PAUL COOK The driving force for Stanley...8

GED BRANNAN Grafted in the engine room...7

ANDY GOUCK Netted important first goal...7

STEVE FLITCROFT Provided threat on the left...6

PAUL MULLIN Will be disappointed not to have scored...7

Subs: GORDON ARMSTRONG (for Gouck, 68 mins) Steady display...7

Subs Not used: Kennedy, Durnin, Madin, Hindle

Leigh RMI (4-5-1): Kelly; Shepherd, Lancaster, Redmond, Roscoe; Barrowclough (Kielty 80 mins), Durkin (Peyton 59 mins), Harrison, Maden, Fitzpatrick (Rezai half-time); McNiven. Subs not used: Harris, Martin

REFEREE: Dale Drysdale (Lincoln)

LEIGH RMI 1

McNiven 88

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

Gouck 14, Howarth 45

Hilton Park Att: 612