Payne hit the winner but Speare is star

EMLEY...0

RUSSELL Payne scored the goal in extra-time to take Stanley through to the semi-final of the UniBond League Cup - but it was goalkeeper Jamie Speare who was the hero.

The Reds goalie pulled off a number of fantastic saves to keep out the Yorkshire side who threatened to nick the game in the second half after Stanley had dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes.

The swirling wind and overnight rain made it difficult for the players - and extra-time was greeted with some groans but it did soon change to cheers when Stanley struck.

Steve Flitcroft tried a short corner routine, which worked superbly in the 108th minute. He got the ball back, raced into the area and fired in a great ball to the far post, which Payne headed home from four yards out.

"A Russell Payne header is a rarity but it will do for us," said one member of the 596 crowd and it was a relief after a goalless 90 minutes.

Stanley had introduced new central defender Steve Halford who was signed on Friday and came straight into the side for the suspended Jonathan Smith.

Halford, in his early 20s, was released from from Chester City after coming through the ranks at Bury and being part of the successful youth set up at Gigg Lane which included Oldham defender Chris Armstrong, brother of Burnley player Gordon.

Halford linked up with Paul Burns; another called into the action in the centre of defence with Steve Hollis struggling through injury.

But the Reds makeshift back line did well against an impressive nippy forward Lee Ryan who caused Stanley a few problems.

Even so, with the wind advantage, Stanley had the best chances of the first half, Lutel James being guilty of wasting a couple of opportunities after racing through.

Emley keeper Paul Cuss made a couple of good saves and when James did get the better of him, forcing him to come out of his goal, the former Bury man hit the side netting with his team-mates queuing up in the box.

On the half-hour, midfielder Dave Robinson found Barrie Hart charging down the left. He played in a great ball, which Paul Mullin and an Emley defender jumped together for but it went over and the chance was wasted.

James then put another good ball in which the Emley defence cleared with Mullin once more waiting to pounce as he looked for his 24th goal of the campaign - which would equal his season's best.

Then Speare made his first real impact with a stunning save. Gary Hatto's shot bounced towards goal and the former Everton trainee had to scoop the ball out one handedly to deny Emley a certain goal just before the interval.

But it should have been the Reds who took an advantage into the break in injury time in a goalmouth scramble. James tried to lob the keeper but the ball went wide to Gary Williams, whose goalbound shot was blocked and then Mullin had another go but it was deflected wide.

After the interval Speare once again saved Stanley after Hatto teed up Micky Norbury and he blasted the ball from 15 yards out and Speare superbly pushed the ball out to safety.

Speare then saved with his legs on 63 minutes after Darren Day made a great run from midfield and Day then had another opportunity after he again outwitted the Reds defence but his left foot shot trickled wide.

With ten minutes left the lively Ryan struck a shot well which Speare again saved with his legs and there was then a lively finish by Stanley as they looked to strike late - but it was to no avail.

With neither side able to break the deadlock in normal time, it looked destined to eventually go to penalties although the game became increasingly stretched in extra-time as legs tired.

Payne had a low shot turned away, the tricky midfielder also tried to set up James after a good run and back flick to the striker but the defence intercepted.

Then, within three minutes of the restart, the crowd finally sighed with relief when Payne at last made a chance count.

It got worse for Emley as midfielder Paul David was then dismissed for the visitors after a tackle on James and Stanley could have made it safe, Mullin's overhead kick going over and Mark Brennan's 20 yard effort being deflected wide.

But one goal proved enough - and it's semi-final time for Stanley now and the hope of some silverware this season.

Trafford are still in the competition, beating Kendal 3-2 while the other quarter-finals - Bradford PA v Blyth Spartans and Matlock v North Ferriby - were postponed.