EMLEY 3 ACCRINGTON ST 0

ACCRINGTON's hopes of reaching the last 32 of the FA Umbro Trophy came to an end with another indifferent performance.

UniBond Premier Division leaders Emley went ahead after six minutes. Wael Nazha rounded Robbie Williams and played the ball across the penalty area to Gary Hatto, who hit an unstoppable left foot shot past Jamie Speare.

Seven minutes later an inswinging corner by Stanley's Mark Patterson was met by defender Wayne Maddock but his header went over the crossbar. Emley almost increased their lead on 14 minutes, Simeon Bambrook striking a swerving 30 yard shot that Speare saved brilliantly.

It was no surprise when the home side did score on 23 minutes. Stanley's Mark Ceraolo fouled Paul David and Steve Nicholson's free kick was met with a first-time shot by Miles Thorpe which beat Speare.

At the start of the second half Reds' assistant manager Jimmy Bell replaced Mark Brennan and on 56 minutes a move involving Steve Hollis, Steve Carragher and Russell Payne created an opening for the unmarked Bell and he should have done better than fire over the crossbar.

Stanley's fate was sealed in the 75th minute when Emley broke away, Bambrook's piledriver crashed against the crossbar and came out to Nazha whose shot was superbly saved by Speare only to see the rebound fall to Darren Day whose goal consigned the Reds to a second Cup exit in the space of four days. It wasn't until the third minute of injury time that home goalkeeper Paul Cuss was called into action. John Coleman, making a rare appearance as a 74th minute substitute, fired in a 25 yard free kick that Cuss saved.

The reserve team lost their unbeaten record in the East Lancashire League losing 3-0 at Colne United.