PAUL Mullin's double wasn't enough to get Accrington Stanley back to winning ways as they squandered a two goal lead at Ashton United.

The UniBond Premier League leaders, whose nine match winning streak was brought to an end on Saturday with a draw against Droylsden, threw away two points at manager John Coleman's former hunting ground.

After an uneventful first half, Stanley drew first blood when Lutel James' initial effort was blocked on 55 minutes.

The ball bobbled around the box with the keeper out of goal and it came to Mullin on the edge of the area and he lashed it into the empty net.

Five minutes later and it was 2-0 and again James was the architect. The former Bury frontman found Mullin who turned his man and flicked it over the keeper - his seventh goal of the season.

However, two minutes later and Ashton were back in it. A stunning free kick hit the post and Greg Challender, a former Stanley player, was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Stanley looked like they would hang on but, with six minutes remaining, Jamie Miller hit a shot from the edge of the box which beat Jamie Speare.

Just before this, the Reds goalkeeper had been injured in a challenge with Miller and limped off the pitch at the end which may give former Ashton keeper Gary Pierce, signed by Coleman last week as cover for Speare, the chance to start in the FA Cup match at the Crown Ground on Saturday.

And skipper Peter Cavanagh is also a doubt after he too suffered an injury. The former Liverpool trainee spent a long time getting treatment and he is a doubt for the clash with Billingham.

Stanley's main rivals Burscough won 3-0 at Colwyn Bay last night which cuts Accrington's lead down to five points at the top.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness thinks Mike Marsh - who has played every game for Stanley so far this season - is the type of character who can take the Reds up into the Nationwide Conference.

Souness was with the Reds midfielder at Liverpool and also took him to Galatsaray.

"Mike was unbelievably unlucky with injuries. He is a wonderful footballer.

"I took him to Galatasaray but he didn't settle but at my time at Liverpool he was the best six a side player.

"Mike gives his all, he is a proper scouser, he has a will to win in everything he does.

"He was always quite a quiet lad at Liverpool, he just got on with things but people always listened to him when he talked. I hope he does well for them."

ASHTON TOWN...2

STANLEY...2