LUTEL James and Gary Williams both made their marks since coming off the transfer list as Stanley made it into the third round of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy.

James and Williams both found the back of the net against North West Counties League Division One side Atherton who didn't make it comfortable for the Reds, two late goals finally seeing them off.

It was a good run out for Stanley who have had numerous postponements over Christmas as they look to continue their run of form which has now seen them go 14 games without a loss - which earned them the club of the month award for December presented before the match, their second successive award.

"It is nice to win the award and if we win it every month between now and the end of the season we might have a chance of going up!" said manager John Coleman whose side are currently third in the UniBond Premier Division.

"It was a strange game as we were outstanding at times, went two-up, and then lost concentration at the end of the first half and let them back into it. All credit to them, they did well and we didn't take them lightly.

"But I am glad we are through and I am made up that Gary Williams scored. But what I thought was more important than the goal was the 70 yard recovery he made to cut out their right back. It shows his appetite for the game."

It was Atherton who had the best of the early openings, Paul Vandeburg tried to chip Reds keeper Jamie Speare while Adam Lawrence hit the post with a deflected free kick.

It took the Reds 20 minutes to find their feet and when they did there was no mistake.

Barrie Hart crossed from the left into the area, the ball came out to the incoming Simon Carden who blasted the ball home from 18 yards.

Six minutes later and the old corner routine worked well when Steve Flitcroft fired one in and defender Jonathan Smith thumped the ball into the net.

"We have a few set plays which seem to be coming off for us. They weren't at the start of the season. There are a couple more we have been working on," said Coleman.

Nick Fisher hit the top of the crossbar for Atherton while James, who was only on the transfer list for a couple of days following disciplinary action at the end of last month, pressed hard at the other end. And, in a move involving Flitcroft, Smith and Mullin, the latter had the final shot which was saved by keeper Dave Johnson's legs.

Then, with seconds on the clock, Fisher's cross was headed by Ryan Cain and Stuart Shepherd forced the goalbound effort across the line.

Stanley looked to be back in it after the interval, a great one-two with Mullin and Dave Robinson ending with Robbo cracking the underside of the bar and bouncing out.

Speare then pulled off a brilliant low one-handed save to deny Atherton skipper Ian Gibson and Williams, on as a sub, blazed a shot just over.

Then Stanley finally made their strength count. On 70 minutes, Flitcroft's ball in was headed on by Smith and James tapped home at the far post.

And Williams had the last say on 88 minutes when James' cross found the Reds record buy and he headed home number four - his first for the club since ending his couple of months on the transfer list.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...4 ATHERTON COLLS...1