THE man who David Ginola would have struggled to displace in the Stanley side according to boss John Coleman scored the goal to extend the Reds unbeaten run to six games.

Reds winger Russell Payne chipped home the equaliser on 52 minutes after Chris Hurst had given Trinity a lead 30 seconds after the restart in the UniBond Premier encounter.

Stanley had made a cheeky bid for French genius Ginola from Everton last week but Coleman had jokingly said he would have a tough act to oust Payne from the side.

And Trinity failed to take heed and keep an eye on the tricky winger who beat the off-side trap and got on the end of Paul Burns' pass ten yards out before chipping the ball into the top corner of the net.

It wasn't a classic encounter at the Crown Ground with both sides having little to play for except their pride.

Trinity occupy a mid-table spot while the Reds are aiming to finish as high up the table as possible - although they have slipped down one place from the fourth spot they held after the weekend.

Stanley, in a rich vein of form with five consecutive wins, did start off slowly and were without striker Paul Mullin who is suffering from a neck injury.

And it was Trinity who forced the pace and they must be ruing their inability to turn their countless corners into goals.

John Reed's corner count must have run into double figures in the first half but Trinity didn't really cause the Reds many problems with the flag kicks.

Lee Ellington and Darren Connell kept the Reds defence on their toes with their pace but Stanley's second choice keeper Danny Thorpe - standing in for injured Jamie Speare - proved equal to any efforts.

And Trinity wing-back Wayne Hall played in some fierce crosses from the left wing but both sides really relied on speedy breaks.

Trinity keeper Gary Ingham did well to deny Reds hot shot Lutel James in one such breakaway, saving his rasping shot in the 22nd minute. The visitors best chance of the first half fell to nippy frontman Connell who was unmarked at the far post when Reed looped a free kick in on 35 minutes.

But Connell couldn't make enough impact and youngster Thorpe showed he is not short of confidence and saved well.

Payne caused a couple of problems with some tricky runs but the Trinity defence held firm while Ellington's strike at the other end was straight into the side netting on the stroke of half time.

Then, after the break, the game burst into life. Stanley kicked off, lost the ball immediately and Connell broke down the right and fired in a cross to the far post.

The unmarked Hurst headed the ball goalwards, Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh blocked it on the line but he couldn't prevent it going over.

Thorpe then pulled off a stunning save to deny Connell who was clean through but Stanley have the knack of battling back - and they did just that six minutes later.

Paul Burns slotted the ball into the area, it evaded the Gainsborough defence and Payne got behind them to turn and chip the ball over Ingham.

Hurst could have replied immediately as he was again unmarked at the far post as the Reds defence went AWOL but his header was off target while Wayne Hall's 25 yard free kick was inches over the bar on the hour.

And Trinity's Reed also tried his luck from distance but his 30 yard looping effort hit the top of the crossbar to the relief of the majority of the 349 fans.

Stanley had a couple of half chances, sub Lee Buggie's close effort was deflected high and wide while Cavanagh's free kick was caught by Ingham.

Defender Steve Halford also had a chance from a Barrie Hart free kick but his thumping header was straight at the Trinity shot stopper on 89 minutes.

But the visitors could have snatched it at the death when a Reed free kick was met my Connell whose downward header was scrambled away by Thorpe - and Stanley will be the happier with the point on the night.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...1

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY...1