SIMON CARDEN scored a late winner to give Accrington Stanley their second win from two games in the UniBond Premier Division campaign.

Midfielder Carden struck home late in the game - his first goal of the new campaign - but Colwyn Bay had plenty of time to get back into it as the referee played ten minutes of injury time.

However, Stanley's defence - led by experienced new boy Mark Sertori - held firm.

Skipper Peter Cavanagh returned to the line-up after missing the opening encounter through suspension.

Robbie Williams, sent off in the opening game, did not start while defender Jonathan Smith, a virtual ever present last season, again did not feature in the squad.

There was also a debut for new boy Dean Calcutt, signed for £5,000 from Bradford Park Avenue last week, with Andy Proctor making way.

It had looked bleak for the Reds when Carl Furlong, a former Altrincham striker, gave the Welsh side the lead after 65 minutes. But eight minutes later it was all square when last season's top scorer Paul Mullin headed home his second goal in two games.

Lutel James, who came through a fitness test after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's opener, provided the cross with Mullin jumping highest.

There were limited chances until the final five minutes when James once again provided the ammunition and Carden squeezed the ball home from about eight yards.

Midfielder Mike Marsh also came through a hamstring scare, but he survived the full 90 minutes.

Now Stanley will bid to make it a hat-trick of wins when they travel to Marine on Saturday as they go out to clinch the title - and a place in the top tier of the non-League.

COLWYN BAY...1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY...2