ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman says his side have proved the critics wrong after bouncing back from the 5-1 drubbing at Gateshead last month to win six games on the bounce.

The Reds continue to hold an 11-point lead at the top of the UniBond Premier Division after coming from behind to beat Harrogate 3-2 at the Crown Ground.

And Coleman admitted the pressure was on for his side to keep their noses in front at the top of the league and secure that sought-after place in the Nationwide Conference.

"People were quick to write us off when we got beat 5-1 at Gateshead but we have stuck our chests out and proved we are a good side," he said.

"We are all aware of the pressure but we won't know if we have done enough until May.

"But we didn't get carried away with the criticism when we were beaten at Gateshead and we won't get carried away with the praise now."

Stanley recovered from a 2-1 half-time deficit to take all three points against the Yorkshire side, who knocked them out of the FA Cup earlier in the season.

The Reds went ahead in the seventh minute when Mike Marsh found Lutel James down the left with a fabulous ball.

James played in Paul Mullin whose shot came back out and was knocked in by winger Russell Payne.

The Reds were well on top and playing some good football but took their foot off the gas and allowed Harrogate back into it.

The visitors put the home side under some pressure and were rewarded in the 16th minute when a free kick was headed home by McNaughton.

Harrogate were buoyed by their equaliser and took the game to Stanley.

They went ahead through a fantastic 20-yard strike from Colin Hunter on the half-hour.

But after the break the Reds came racing out of the blocks and on 65 minutes centre half Jonathan Smith equalised - although he needed three attempts to finally score!

A free kick was knocked in to him at the far post but his goalbound header was blocked. He connected with the rebound which the keeper again palmed away only to see Smith finally put the ball in the back of the net at the third attempt.

The Reds pushed forward and it was no surprise when Paul Mullin popped up with the winner nine minutes from time, converting a Paul Howarth cross. His delight was obvious to see as he jumped the wall behind the goal, but the referee was not impressed and he was booked.

"We were a little bit shell-shocked after going 2-1 down and they could have had made it 3-1.

"But we regained our composure and for the second half they only had one shot. We definitely dominated and deserved to win.

"We worked out how we wanted to play in the second half and we went out and did that.

"And the way the players supported each other and worked for each other it just shows other people what kind of a team we are.

"And it is nice to see players celebrating like that. It shows how much it means to them and that is what I want."

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...3 HARROGATE TOWN...2