STANLEY threw everything but the kitchen sink at ten-man Blyth but could not find a way through their solid defence in the UniBond Premier encounter at the Crown Ground.

The North East side had been reduced to ten men as early as the 30th minute when Craig Perry was dismissed for elbowing defender Jonathan Smith.

The tall defender had been causing Blyth all kinds of problems from set-pieces up front as they struggled to cope with his height but he was hacked down by the Blyth forward and the referee - one of the youngest in the league - had no alternative but to send him off.

Blyth had caused a few problems up to this point but Stanley had enough chances to have an advantage by the time the visitors lost a man.

Dave Robinson's early 25 yard free kick was just wide and Lutel James beat the off-side trap a couple of times but couldn't make the run count.

Smith was dangerous at set pieces and Paul Burns, back in midfield after playing at centre half for the last few games, played in a great cross to Simon Carden but he couldn't get on the end of it.

Blyth did create a couple of half chances although they didn't really test keeper Jamie Speare and Perry then got his marching orders.

And, a minute before the interval, Stephen Flitcroft could have given Stanley the vital one-goal lead.

James found the former Blackburn Rovers Academy man at the far post but Flitcroft's effort clipped the woodwork much to the agony of Reds boss John Coleman.

It was all Stanley again after the break when, after a neat move, James played a clever back flick to Mark Brennan who fired low but it was easy for Blyth keeper Paul Gilmore.

Striker Mark Shirley made a welcome return to league football following an operation on his knee and a year out and he showed he has lost none of his touch.

He came on just before the hour and one of his first touches was to set up Paul Howarth with a great chance but the defender's header was inches over the bar.

Boss Coleman then went for it with the introduction of last week's Marsden Cup hat-trick hero Jimmy Bell, his assistant, as Shirley, James and Bell all pushed up front.

But this left Stanley exposed at the back and Blyth sub Graham Perry almost snatched it at the other end but Speare managed to clear.

Smith was then added to the front line and, five minutes from time, his flick header set Carden up but again the shot did not trouble Gilmore.

And, after Paddy Little had almost rugby tackled Shirley but received no caution, he almost grabbed the points for Blyth. They were awarded a free kick 20 yards out in the 93rd minute. A goal would have been an injustice and luckily for Stanley, Speare wasn't seriously troubled. But it was just one of those days for the Reds.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY...0

BLYTH SPARTANS...0