Ceraolo saves a point

STANLEY left it late to earn a point in a hard fought game at a rain soaked and wind swept Crown ground.

Next to bottom Frickley had goalkeeper Andy Carney to thank for a string of first half saves. In the 13 minute Steve Hollis played a pin point pass to Mark Ceraolo but his shot was turned away by Carney.

A minute later Russell Payne was fouled and from the resulting free kick Hollis sent a curling 30 yard shot that Carney brilliantly turned over the crossbar. Shortly after from another long range Hollis free kick Carney did well to turn the ball away for a corner.

Visitors Frickley, defending a six match unbeaten run, came back into the game and on 20 minutes Lee Stratford's corner kick was met by Chris Hurst but his header crashed against the Stanley crossbar.

Frickeley then took the lead on 31 minutes as Gary Duffy played the ball to Rob Hanby, who set up Graham Lewis and his coolly slotted the ball past Jamie Speare. Two minutes into stoppage time Paul Mullin was fouled 25 yards out and Hollis struck a fierce free kick but again could find no way past Carney.

The difficult playing conditions took their toll in the second half with few scoring chances. On 75 minutes Stanley's Simon Carden and Payne combined well to create an opening for Ceraolo but he was denied by Carney.

Ceraolo made amends two minutes later when Hollis sent over a free kick and after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to Ceraolo who finally beat Carney with a low shot.

Frickley lost skipper Steve Price who had to be stretchered off with a serious injury following an accidental collision seven minutes from time.

THE PAYNE BARRIER: Stanley's Russell Payne involved in the action against Frickley STANLEY left it late to earn a point in a hard fought UniBond Premier Division game at a rain soaked and wind swept Crown ground.

Next to bottom Frickley had goalkeeper Andy Carney to thank for a string of first half saves.

In the 13 minute Steve Hollis played a pin point pass to Mark Ceraolo but his shot was turned away by Carney.

A minute later Russell Payne was fouled and from the resulting free kick Hollis sent a curling 30 yard shot that Carney brilliantly turned over the crossbar.

Shortly after from another long range Hollis free kick Carney did well to turn the ball away for a corner.

Visitors Frickley, defending a six match unbeaten run, came back into the game and on 20 minutes Lee Stratford's corner kick was met by Chris Hurst but his header crashed against the Stanley crossbar.

Frickley then took the lead on 31 minutes as Gary Duffy played the ball to Rob Hanby, who set up Graham Lewis and his coolly slotted the ball past Jamie Speare.

Two minutes into stoppage time Paul Mullin was fouled 25 yards out and Hollis struck a fierce free kick but again could find no way past Carney.

The difficult playing conditions took their toll in the second half with few scoring chances.

On 75 minutes Stanley's Simon Carden and Payne combined well to create an opening for Ceraolo but he was denied by Carney.

Ceraolo made amends two minutes later when Hollis sent over a free kick and after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to Ceraolo who finally beat Carney with a low shot --his seventh goal of the season.

Frickley lost skipper Steve Price who had to be stretchered off with a serious injury following an accidental collision seven minutes from time.