THE script for a side under new management has become so predictable you would think the opposition would be prepared.

But Accrington Stanley looked truly shell-shocked after falling behind to Northwich Victoria, in Alvin McDonald's first game as manager.

It was no surprise when Stanley took an early lead, but the Vics, without a win since August, hit back almost immediately to knock the wind out of the Reds' sails and instigate an action-packed first half.

However, the fact that both sides appeared to have forgotten how to defend played a major part in the goalmouth incidents.

Lutel James stung goalkeeper Ben Connett's hands with a fierce right-foot drive, which Connett managed to palm away for a corner. But Rory Prendergast got Stanley off to a dream start with his inswinging set-piece which evaded a crowded penalty area and crept into the bottom left hand corner.

But Northwich were back on level terms inside two minutes when Jon Kennedy tried to clear a long punt back upfield but the ball struck Johnny Allan. The centre forward must have thought it was his birthday as he got the ball under control and stroked it into an empty net.

Stanley were rocked when they fell behind on 10 minutes courtesy of another defensive mix-up. Mark Devlin outpaced Robbie Williams before slipping the ball through for Chris Ward. Peter Cavanagh tried to dispossess him with a desperate tackle from behind but Ward kept hold of the ball before sliding it underneath the advancing Kennedy.

But supporters witnessed their fourth goal inside just 13 minutes after Prendergast turned provider with a free kick into the box, which Paul Mullin headed powerfully into the bottom left hand corner.

Both defences finally began to get a grip on the game and chances were kept to a minimum - captain Val Owen tried a speculative 30-yard shot but that was high and wide of the target.

Stanley created more positive build-ups and Prendergast had the right back baffled with his footwork and trickery on the left wing. So much so that the only way to stop him was to bring him down and concede a free-kick out wide. Prendergast recovered to swing a delightful ball into the centre, and while the defence should have done better in their attempts to clear the ball, Andy Gouck took his chance well and stooped to send a thumping header past Connett.

Paul Cook, back in midfield after a three-match ban, was fouled by opposite number Owen 30-yards out and Cavanagh was unlucky to fire his free-kick wide of the right hand upright.

Just as Stanley, who had switched regularly from a 4-5-1 formation to 4-4-2 as James offered attacking support to Mullin, looked confident of taking their slender lead into the break, Allan pounced for his second of the afternoon.

Ward picked the ball up on the left before crossing square for Allan in space. Steve Hollis went to close him down but the striker bent the ball round him with his left foot after controlling it on his right and Kennedy, diving to his right, was well beaten.

James was hungry to get Stanley back in front and pounced as Phil Brazier sent a poor backpass to goalkeeper Connett. James looked certain to get to the ball first but Connett was sharp and had advanced quickly enough to deny the Reds' front man.

Ward then found himself with run on goal but Hollis covered quickly to clear the danger before left back Mark Barnard broke into the box but had his left foot shot blocked by Kennedy and Cavanagh headed the rebound behind.

To follow the cliche 'a game of two halves' the second period failed to live up to expectations after a lively first 45 minutes.

Prendergast continued to impress on the left flank and sent an early cross over to an unmarked James but the striker's volley back into the box just missed the head of Steve Flitcroft.

At the opposite end, Flitcroft's right-foot drive was turned away by the keeper diving low to his left.

Just after the hour mark, Kennedy raced off his line to stop Ward from continuing his run into the box with Stanley's defence, again, at sixes and sevens.

Northwich continued to press and looked the more likely to break the second-half deadlock. Ward found himself in another one-on-one with the Reds' stopper, who left his goal exposed as he again raced off the line. Ward chipped him but didn't get a great deal of power on it and Cavanagh was able to get back and clear the ball two yards away from the line.

Stanley found another gear in the final five minutes and could easily have snatched a winner. Prendergast hit the top of the crossbar with a right-foot volley, Mullin was denied from close range after latching on to Cook's left-wing cross before snatching at a volley with Brazier bearing down on him.

In the final minute, Prendergast's superb free-kick was curled around the wall and Connett did well to fist it away to secure what was, arguably, a fair result.

NORTHWICH VICS 3

llan 8, 36; Ward 10

STANLEY 3

Prendergast 6, Mullin 13, Gouck 25

Wincham Park Att: 865