JAMIE Speare gave Mark Brennan a massive hug at the end of the UniBond League Cup semi-final for saving his bacon.

Substitute Brennan, who recently returned to the Crown Ground from a management position at St Helens, fired home the winner in the 54th minute to send Stanley into their second cup final of the season.

And goalkeeper Speare was relieved that the Reds made it through after dropping a clanger to let UniBond First Division side Trafford back into the game.

In truth, the Manchester side were livelier in the first half, former Bury and Rossendale player Darren Emmott causing Stanley a few problems, without really troubling Speare.

But it was the Premier Division Reds who had the better chances, wing wizard Russell Payne producing the first shot on target.

The tricky player weaved his way into the box on six minutes but fired straight at Trafford's extrovert keeper Mark Molyneaux.

Molyneaux is the player-manager and he spent most of the first half with a smile on his face, chatting animatedly to the Stanley fans behind his goal - and keeping them entertained as it was a dour first half for the 545 crowd.

Striker Lutel James did come close for the Reds as he looked for his first goal in eight games. He turned and shot in the area but his effort was wide on 12 minutes.

The breakthrough finally came for Stanley in the 31st minute after Trafford had had most of the possession.

The Reds forced two corners with Barrie Hart in charge of the flag kicks in the absence of the injured Steve Flitcroft.

Hart fired a perfect ball into the danger area on the second corner and Reds defender Steve Halford went down on his knees to head Stanley in front.

Their joy, however, was short-lived as two minutes later Trafford were back on equal footing.

Emmott's cross-cum-shot sailed towards the top corner of Speare's goal.

The Reds shot-stopper reached it but fumbled and the ball slipped across the line and into the net.

Stanley boss John Coleman changed it around at half-time replacing Dave Robinson in the midfield with Brennan.

And he immediately made an impact adding more bite in the centre of the park and having a 20 yard effort which went just wide.

Then, on 54 minutes, Payne's persistence paid off as he worked his way down the left wing. He passed back to Hart who again played in a perfect delivery and Brennan slid in to score the all-important second goal.

Stanley certainly looked livelier after this and should have sewn it up on their next attack.

Another Hart ball in was met by the head of Jonathan Smith and he in turn found James four yards out with only the keeper to beat.

However, the former Bury striker hit it straight at Molyneaux who saved with his legs.

Trafford began to rally and Dean Butterworth fired in a shot from an angle, which hit the top of the crossbar.

And Phil Bayliss then found the unmarked Butterworth in the area and the Trafford striker should have done better than head over the goal.

Stanley frontman Paul Mullin is also suffering something of a goal drought but he could have ended it if James had played in a low cross into him as he waited unmarked six yards out.

Instead James' ball in was high and Mullin couldn't bring it down and control it and the chance went begging.

Trafford pressed in the dying minutes to try and take it into extra-time throwing subs Gareth Thomas and former Stanley striker Tom Beech on. Beech signed up at the Crown Ground at the start of this season but never made it into the first team and left shortly afterwards.

But this double bid almost paid off for the visitors when a goalmouth scramble ended with the ball coming to Thomas, just four yards out, but as he tried to shoot, Robbie Williams deprived him and the danger was cleared for the Reds.

Stanley held on and will now face Bradford who defeated Matlock 2-1 in the other semi-final. The venue is yet to be decided although it may be played at either of the two grounds, the two sides tossing a coin for the right to play at home.

In their other final, the Lancashire Marsden Trophy, the Reds will face either Barrow or Clitheroe who play tomorrow night. Again the venue has yet to be decided.

ACCRINGTON...2 TRAFFORD...1