STRUGGLING Hucknall Town made Stanley pay for a series of missed chances by stealing the three points in the UniBond Premier encounter.

After two tough quarter-final Cup games in a week, the Reds needed a win to keep the pressure on at the top of the table but a late rally by Hucknall - who looked anything but a struggling side - left Stanley boss John Coleman with his head in his hands.

And this was despite Stanley's new defender Steve Halford opening his account, the Reds hitting the post twice and home keeper Jamie Speare superbly saving a penalty kick.

On paper it did seem a comfortable three points for the Reds but their extra-time exertions of last Saturday's UniBond League Cup win, followed by a difficult game against Conference side Leigh RMI in the Lancashire Marsden Cup on Wednesday, seemed to have taken their toll.

Hucknall, including former Nottingham Forest player Phil Starbuck and one-time Leicester player Steve Prindiville, had the brighter start.

Simon Brown put a header just wide in the opening minutes, Starbuck's effort was just off target and Simon Newell's weak effort was easy for Speare to save.

Stanley started to get into the game with left-back Barrie Hart putting in some great crosses from the wing, one which just missed 25-goal hitman Paul Mullin and Steve Flitcroft's follow up was then blocked.

Speare then got down well to Danny Mayman's 20-yard strike while, at the other end, another good Hart ball in just evaded Gary Williams.

Then, on 37 minutes, Hucknall were awarded a penalty when Paul Burns, filling in at centre back with Steve Hollis injured and Jonathan Smith suspended, took the legs of speedy frontman Paul Burke.

Stanley could have no qualms with the decision and Starbuck stepped up to take the penalty.

But Reds shot-stopper Speare has been the king of penalty saves this season and once again boosted his ever-growing reputation by saving the spot kick - which was sent straight down the middle - with his legs.

And, three minutes later, Hucknall were counting the cost of this when Stanley were awarded a free kick to the left of the penalty area after a foul on lively Lutel James.

Former Blackburn Rovers trainee Flitcroft fired in a great ball which Halford jumped high to and headed home to open his Reds account.

Russell Payne was making his usual mazy runs, while James raced through just before the break but took the ball just too far and his shot from an angle was wide.

Hucknall started to take control in the second half as forwards Burke and Gary Ricketts began to make an impression and cause the Stanley backline a few problems, especially Burke with his pace.

But it was Reds midfielder Dave Robinson who was desperately unlucky.

He got the ball 30 yards out and, although there was plenty of activity in front of him, he spotted Town keeper Dave McCarthy off his line and tried to chip him.

It looked like it had worked but then the ball agonisingly hit the post and Mullin could not reach the rebound.

Stanley were made to pay when, on 71 minutes, Ricketts headed a cross to the far post back into the dangerzone and Starbuck touched the ball over the line from six yards out.

And, on 80 minutes, Hucknall scored a crucial second.

A left wing cross found Mayman at the far post and, with Speare coming for it, the Town striker tapped the ball across the goalline and it was easy for Burke to knock home.

Stanley pressed for the final ten minutes - plus six minutes of injury time - and Speare played as a forward for the final minutes as Stanley desperately searched for an equaliser.

They looked like they had got it with two minutes to spare when Hart picked up the ball around 25 yards out and blasted it goalwards only for it to again crash against the post.

Mullin had a last ditch chance saved by a stretching McCarthy and despite a frantic finale which involved countless corners, Stanley couldn't find the all-important leveller.