BISHOP AUCKLAND 2 ACCRINGTON ST 1

STANLEY's inconsistent league form continued as they went down to defeat at UniBond Premier side fourth place side Bishop Auckland, despite leading through a first half goal by Simon Carden.

Playing down the slope in the first half, the Reds played some neat football and as early as the second minute Russell Payne crossed to Carden whose header from 10 yards out was saved by goalkeeper Steve Jones.

Four minutes later a short free kick by Mark Brennan found Mark Patterson who struck a 35-yard shot straight at Jones. Tempers flared after 24 minutes with several off-the-ball incidents, one of which saw Jonathan Smith felled and then Brennan was shown a yellow card four minutes later in another incident.

Accrington deserved to take the lead on 38 minutes when Carden struck a fierce shot from the 18 yards out that Jones couldn't hold.

Stanley almost increased their lead four minutes into stoppage time in the first half when Steve Hollis drove in a left foot free kick from 30 yards but Jones saved at the second attempt.

Bishops came out for the second half and drew level within three minutes. A corner by Anthony Lee was met by defender Michael Salmon, who headed home the equaliser. The Reds launched an immediate reply with Smith having an effort well saved by Jones a minute later.

Reds goalkeeper Jamie Speare was called into action twice in the space of three minutes, firstly he turned away a shot by dangerous winger Jeff Smith and shortly after he made an even better save to deny David Gallacher's 22-yard shot. The home side's pressure finally told seven minutes from time when David Bayles put Danny Mellanby clear and he raced past Speare to net the winning goal.