JOHN Coleman must have a crystal ball stashed away somewhere at the Interlink Express Stadium.

For the Accrington Stanley manager predicted Steve Hollis would score last night, based on, he freely admitted, "just a feeling".

The left back, who was sidelined for 12 months with a career-threatening knee injury last season, hadn't scored a goal for around two years.

But the likeable Scouser made Coleman's dream come true as he helped Stanley secure their third win on the trot with a well-taken, if somewhat fortunate free kick.

Paul Mullin and Lutel James were both on target to start and end the Reds' successful mission to leapfrog Nigel Clough's Burton Albion.

Burton looked as if they were fired up to give Stanley a real test and created early chances through Robbie Talbot's 20-yard drive, which Jon Kennedy saved with ease low to his left, then Steve Chettle saw his 30-yard free kick whistle past the left hand upright.

But once Stanley had weathered that opening 15-minute storm, some quality passing and movement, as well as a tight ship at the back, frustrated Burton into looking less of a threat.

James' superb ball for John Durnin split the defence wide open. The striker burst onto it but just as he was about to pull the trigger, appeared to be tripped on the edge of box. Referee Philip Bradley thought differently and waved play on.

Aaron Webster went perilously close to planting the ball into his own net with a strong header but the ball slowed up before crossing the line and goalkeeper Matthew Duke gathered the ball safely in his arms.

At the opposite end, Burton's player-manager Clough, watched by his father Brian, released Dale Anderson. But Robbie Williams proved he was rock by nature as well as Rockie by name as he kept up with the pacy striker before completing the perfect tackle on the edge of the box.

Ian Wright then played no further part in the game after the defender fouled Rory Prendergast and injured himself in the process. From the resultant free kick, Peter Cavanagh blazed over the bar.

Duke was finally beaten just before the half-hour after Mullin started and finished the move. His header just outside the Burton area was picked up by Prendergast on the left, pumped back into the box and Mullin was on hand to power a header home at the near post.

Stanley turned on the style once more and Mullin should have had two goals in as many minutes but failed to beat the keeper in a double dose of one-on-ones.

But Burton put the pressure on five minutes before the break and equalised in the most unfortunate circumstances.

Steve Halford, who had again starred at centre back, stuck a foot out to block Jonathon Howard's left wing cross but steered it past Kennedy.

Burton had little answer to the Reds' fiery determination in the second period though and struggled to get out of their own half.

Durnin and Prendergast had half-chances before Duke failed to hold on to Andy Procter's shot from distance but blocked Mullin's follow-up.

Duke then proved to be a hazard for Burton as he failed to keep hold of Hollis' curling 30-yard free kick. The fullback swung the ball over the wall, the keeper looked to have it covered but spilled it and could only look on in disbelief as the ball dropped into the net.

Stanley were forced into some desperate defending as Burton caught them on the break, but the home side always looked like they had another gear and they used it in the closing minutes.

James made a strong run into the area before being brought down by Terry Henshaw. There was no need for the right back to commit the offence as he had steered James away from goal, but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The former Bury front man, who is currently occupying the right flank, skied his spot kick but got a second chance after a retake was ordered because the goalkeeper had moved off his line.

James isn't in the habit of making the same mistake twice and buried penalty number two.

STANLEY 3

Mullin 29, Hollis 82, James (pen) 89

BURTON 1

Halford og 43

Interlink Express Stadium

Att: 1911