STANLEY lost their opening day UniBond Premier Division fixture against a Gainsborough outfit many have tipped for promotion favourites.

Phil Brown was the Reds destroyer in chief bagging two goals on his Trinity return.

But Stanley contributed to their own downfall with some dodgy defending on a day manager John Coleman will quickly want to forget.

The visitors made the worse possible start when Trinity forward Lee Ellington latched on to a through ball on the left and ran into the area only to be upended by the clumsiest of challenges from Stanley captain Jonathan Smith.

Referee Mr Page pointed immediately to the penalty spot and captain John Reed sent goalkeeper Jamie Speare the wrong way to score with ease.

Speare then made a tremendous reflex save to push a powerful downhard header from Chris Hurst round the post.

The Reds then fought back as new-boy Lutel James went close to conjuring up an equaliser

But right on the stroke of half time a sloppy header from Jonathan Smith presented dangerman Brown with the chance to beat Speare with a low drive into the far corner.

The second half began with Gary Williams replacing Brett Baxter but, after a brief attacking flurry by the Reds, Trinity went further ahead. Two minutes into the half a totally unmarked Brown blasted the ball into the net from 18 yards making the score 3-0 to the home side.

Stanley pulled a goal back when James broke from the right and pulled the ball back to Steve Flitcroft who floated a cross over to the far post for Simon Carden to tee up Williams for a simple tap-in.

And Stanley should then have had a penalty when Smith was floored in the box by Linighan but referee Page refused to give it.

Trinity then extended their advanatge on 74 minutes when the impressive Hurst struck an unstopppable shot into the left hand corner of the net from 25 yards.

In a frantic finale, Stanley were handed a lifeline when Smith was held back by Linighan and Flitcroft stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

But any thoughts of a comeback were shattered within three minutes minutes as Trinity made it five when the lively Stanhope crossed from the right, the ball bounced off Speare's chest and sub Paul Watts fired home in spectaculr style.

RESULT: GAINSBOROUGH TR...5 ACCRINGTON STANLEY...2

Stanley are at home to Barrow on Wednesday evening kick off 7.45pm.