FORMER Stanley man Danny Mills struck a second-half penalty to tip the scales in favour of Chorley in this UniBond League Cup Group Four clash.

Premier side Stanley went ahead through David Robinson before Chorley, of the First Division, had even touched the ball.

The visitors equalised on the half-hour through Neil Mitchell.

The Magpies then went ahead through Noel Corrigan but Stanley pulled it level through a Paul Mullin strike before Mills made sure of the points from the spot.

Robinson opened the scoring after just 23 seconds from 10 yards, following a five-man move involving Mullin and right back Peter Cavanagh.

Minutes later Mullin slipped with only Chorley goalkeeper Simon Marsh to beat and he gratefully grasped the ball with both hands.

Chorley right back Paul Fleming hammered the ball for a corner with Mullin ready to strike the ball and a powerful header from the striker just skimmed the crossbar from Paul Burns' corner.

It had been all Stanley as they strove to increase their lead, but Chorley midfield player Mitchell levelled the scores on 34 minutes.

Stanley pushed forward and an excellent passing move between Russell Payne, Lutel James and Mullin saw the big striker force an excellent save from Marsh as he pushed the ball round the post.

Jonathan Smith drove the ball from the edge of the penalty area to force Marsh into another top class save, the Chorley custodian pushing the ball over the bar from a Burns corner.

Marsh then had to parry a shot from close range after Payne robbed right back Fleming and shot goalwards.

On the stroke of half time Jamie Speare came off his line and hastily cleared the ball upfield after a mistake by debutant Gareth Strange.

The ball fell to Chorley's Corrigan on the halfway line and he launched a long punt which sailed over the stranded keeper to put Chorley 2-1 up.

The second half saw Mullin equalise for the Reds on 51 minutes, but seven minutes later left back Steve Hollis was caught in possession losing the ball to Chorley centre David Eatock the Stanley captain pulled the Chorley man down to give away a needless penalty.

Former Stanley midfielder Mills struck an excellent penalty sending Speare the wrong way to reclaim the lead for Chorley.

Stanley brought on Mark Brennan for Burns on 65 minutes, Simon Carden for Anthony Bowden on 75 minutes but everything Stanley could throw at Chorley was dealt with ably by an experienced defence and the excellent Marsh in the Chorley goal; an unbelievable save at the near post from a Mark Brennan header being the pick of some superb goalkeeping.

RESULT: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 CHORLEY 3