BURTON player/boss Nigel Clough scored an injury-time equaliser to upset Stanley - but then tipped the Reds to continue to challenge at the top of the table.

The UniBond Premier League leaders were lucky to come away from the Crown Ground with a point after battling back from 3-1 down in somewhat controversial circumstances in front of a crowd of 1251.

A disputed penalty and the last gasp goal gave Burton a share of the spoils they didn't deserve after Stanley, third prior to the game, had bossed the game in the middle period.

But is shows how far the Reds have come. To be disappointed with a point against title favourites Burton shows, after an uneasy start, that Stanley mean business and they have now extended their unbeaten run - a penalty defeat to Altrincham aside - to 12 games.

"They are up there among Lancaster, Barrow and Altrincham as one of the best sides we have played this season," said former Nottingham Forest and Man City midfielder Clough.

"They play very good football especially with these conditions where they pitch was hard. I think it was a good game to watch and I think it would have been even better if these two teams had met in perfect conditions.

"We have played them twice now and I am glad they are out of the way.

"We are relieved after being 3-1 down. I don't think we played well in the first half. We are giving silly goals away as it showed today. But I think in the end it was a fair result."

Many Stanley fans may disagree with this as, although the Reds did start slowly, once they got going they had the better chances.

They did have two long range efforts from Mark Brennan and Simon Carden early on but it was Burton who opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a wonder goal.

Christian Moore got the ball 25 yards out, turned and half volleyed it into the top corner of Jamie Speare's net. "You will struggle to see a better goal than that anywhere today," said Clough.

But Stanley almost came back immediately when Peter Cavanagh's free kick whistled just over the crossbar.

Speare then made a crucial save on 16 minutes. Dale Anderson got a lucky rebound which put him through. His shot was cleared off the line by Barrie Hart and it looked simple for Aaron Webster who was around four yards out.

But Speare flung his hand at the ball and managed to scramble it out - an important save to deny Burton a two-goal advantage.

It was a key moment as Stanley were soon back in it after a good move where Carden, playing up front in the absence of suspended striker Lutel James, found Paul Mullin in the area on 26 minutes.

The striker turned with the ball and fired it into the bottom corner of the net - his 21st goal of what so far has been a great season for Mullin. The celebrations in front of the Stanley supporters behind the goal showed how much it meant to him.

The Reds were increasing in confidence now, Carden trying his luck with a couple of long range chips and he then played a huge part in Stanley's second.

The former Stockport man got the ball in the area and, just as he was about to shoot, James Wall clipped his heels and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Cavanagh held his nerve despite the huge figure of Burton keeper Matt Duke and put Stanley 2-1 up in the 32nd minute.

Albion skipper Darren Stride then missed a great chance when gifted with a free header but he failed to test Speare while Reds defender Jonathan Smith did better at the other end.

The tall back man got his head to Steve Flitcroft's corner but his effort was cleared off the line and scrambled away.

Russell Payne was causing chaos with some of his mazy runs into the area while Brennan had a couple of efforts but couldn't find the back of the net.

Then, on 75 minutes, the Flitcroft-Smith corner routine worked to perfection with Flitcroft whipping in a ball which Smith thumped into the back of the net - and then whipped his shirt off in celebration.

It seemed to be going Stanley's way but Burton were then handed a lifeline with nine minutes left when Smith was judged to have pulled goalscorer Moore and the ref pointed to the spot.

Stanley complained but to no avail and, although Speare has saved a good few penalties this season, sub Jason Kavanagh made no mistake to make it 3-2.

The points still seemed destined for Accrington and they should have made it safe on 90 minutes. Mullin's through ball found Carden and he raced through with only Duke to beat but the Burton keeper saved with his legs.

Then, Stanley fell to the sucker punch. Albion broke immediately, Anderson got the ball in the area unmarked, set up his manager on the edge of the area and Clough rifled in the effort in injury time.

"I thought it was going wide at the time but I was just relieved to see it go in," said the manager.

While Albion were happy, Reds boss John Coleman was furious, remonstrating with the referee at the end of the game.

It was two points dropped for Stanley - but they have continued their unbeaten run and will hope to make sure they get three from their Boxing Day trip to Bamber Bridge.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...3 BURTON ALBION...3