GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0

STANLEY's recent impressive form came crashing to an end as the Reds were left to count the cost of missed chances in the first half hour.

Accrington should have taken the lead after only 30 seconds, Gary Williams and Russell Payne linked well and Williams' well-struck shot was blocked by Gainsborough goalkeeper Kevin Martin, the rebound fell to Paul Mullin who fired over the crossbar from close range with the goal at his mercy.

In the 11th minute, Payne sent over an accurate cross from the right and Mark Ceraolo headed the ball narrowly wide. After 25 minutes a long ball out of defence created another opening for Stanley but Mullin's volley was straight at Martin.

The Reds had a strong claim for a penalty turned down six minutes later after a strong challenge by Martin felled Ceraolo. Trinity began to come more into the game and on 35 minutes Gavin Bassinder crossed from the right and the unmarked Darren Holmes fired just wide.

Gainsborough then won a series of three corners and from the third Neil Allison rose up above the Stanley defence and got in a powerful header that Paul Burns headed off the goal line. Three minutes before the break Gainsborough took the lead when Steve Circuit chipped the ball over the advancing Jamie Speare and despite Steve Carragher's efforts to clear the ball it was adjudged to have crossed the goal line.

The second half proved to be a non-event with neither side creating many scoring chances although Trinity did have a goal disallowed on 68 minutes. Two minutes into stoppage time Gainsborough added a second goal when substitute Chris Newton was put clear and fired past Speare with the ball going in off the post.

STANLEY'S impressive recent run came crashing to an end as the Reds were left to count the cost of missed chances in the first half hour.

Accrington should have taken the lead after only 30 seconds. Gary Williams and Russell Payne linked well and Williams' well-struck shot was blocked by Gainsborough goalkeeper Kevin Martin. The rebound fell to Paul Mullin who fired over the crossbar.

In the 11th minute, Payne sent over a cross and Mark Ceraolo headed the ball narrowly wide.

After 25 minutes a long ball created another opening for Stanley but Mullin's volley was straight at Martin.

The Reds had a strong claim for a penalty turned down six minutes later after a strong challenge by Martin felled Ceraolo. Trinity began to come more into the game and on 35 minutes Darren Holmes fired just wide.

Three minutes before the break Gainsborough took the lead when Steve Circuit chipped the ball over the advancing Jamie Speare and despite Steve Carragher's efforts the ball it was judged to have crossed the goal line. The second half proved to be a non-event with neither side creating many scoring chances but two minutes into stoppage time Gainsborough added a second goal when substitute Chris Newton was put clear and fired past Speare with the ball going in off the post.