MANAGER John Coleman dedicated Accrington's first Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy to the people who 'live and breathe Stanley.'

Goals from Paul Mullin and Simon Carden sealed Coleman a place in the Crown Ground history books for being the first manager since 1921 - when it was the 'old' Stanley - to lead them to Lancashire Trophy success.

And this was despite Accrington being down to ten men for the entire second half following captain Peter Cavanagh's dismissal for a second bookable offence.

"I am more delighted not for me but for the fans and the players," said the Reds boss.

"And for the Chairman Eric Whalley and secretary John Demain who hasn't been so well of late but hopefully this will speed his recovery up a bit.

"There is also Phil Terry and the Board of Directors. These are people who live and breathe the club.

"It is great for them to have some success, to have something to shout about. They must feel proud and it is good for the town."

As usual Stanley did it the hard way in front of 1330 fans at Morecambe's Christie Park.

They started off rather tentatively against an in-form Barrow team who, like Stanley, were missing some key players because of injuries and suspensions.

For the Reds, top striker Paul Mullin and defender Steve Halford came through late fitness tests and both were outstanding as Stanley held on in the latter stages when they were down to ten men.

Mullin did especially well as, after slotting home his 32nd goal of the season in the 23rd minute, he was the lone striker in the second half with Lutel James helping out at the back.

Stanley's opener came in the first real period of pressure, James dispossessed Scott Maxfield on the right wing, he found Cavanagh who played in a perfect cross for Mullin to fire home from ten yards out.

"It was probably one of the most important goals I have scored," admitted the former Radcliffe striker. "We needed to win a cup, and we deserved it.

"When Cav got sent off we had to keep going and it was hard on my own up there but all the lads did really well.

"It was a team effort. We have a good team spirit here and I think it showed. Everything was different class.

"The fans deserved the win. They were like an extra man once Cav had got sent off and we were pleased to win it for them."

It had looked bleak for the Reds once Cavanagh was dismissed. He had been booked in the second minute and then saw red for a challenge on the wing as he tried to stop Barrow launching an attack late into stoppage time.

By this time, Stanley had had a period of pressure but had failed to add to their tally against Kenny Lowe's side.

"I think Cav was unfortunate," said Coleman. "It was three minutes of injury time and there was not much to it but you have just got to accept the decisions. But I think we showed how resilient we are."

The Reds chief admitted that he had ten heroes on the pitch and said: "Jonathan Smith was exceptional but so were all the others.

"We said to Paul Burns at half -time 'do you know this pitch or something?' as he did really well," laughed the Reds boss about his midfielder who spent many a happy season at Morecambe, helping them into the Conference.

He also had a word of praise for tricky winger Russell Payne who helped to produce number two against the run of play.

Barrow had come out battling after the interval using their one man advantage and defender Smith had to pull off a desperate last-ditch tackle to stop Gareth Jones running through on goal on 62 minutes.

A minute later, Stanley broke away with great work from Payne who went on one of his dazzling runs. He beat a couple of Barrow players and found Mullin at the left hand side of the area.

The striker drew Simon Bishop out of the Barrow goal and lobbed it to the far post, Simon Carden charging in on the goalline to make it 2-0.

"It was definitely Simon's although perhaps I should claim it," laughed Mullin.

Barrow then appealed for a penalty after another Smith tackle on Jones but after that the Cumbrian side seemed to lose heart.

They had collected the President's Cup just last week but ran out of steam as ten-man Stanley worked hard.

Keeper Danny Thorpe, standing in for the suspended Jamie Speare, did pull off a one-footed save from Jones while Mullin had an effort ruled out for offside at the other end.

But in the end it all worked out well for the Reds.

"I have had my time as a player so I am pleased for my players and the fans. We deserved this," added Coleman.

And now they just have to hope they can do the double when they bid to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Bradford PA in the second leg of the UniBond League Cup final at the Crown Ground on Tuesday night.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...2 BARROW...0