BARROW 3

ACCRINGTON ST 0 ACCRINGTON Stanley came crashing down to earth at Holker Street as they lost not only their 100 per cent record but suffered their first league defeat since Boxing Day.

And only a magnificent goalkeeping display by Jamie Speare saved the Reds from a much heavier defeat.

But boss John Coleman was not too downhearted after four great wins on their return to the UniBond Premier League.

"They deserved to win but, if we were to play them tonight, we would stand a chance. It was one of those games, they took their chances and we didn't put our few away. "We've had a good run and the last time we lost we went on a 20 game unbeaten run so let's hope this is the spark to do something like that again."

As early as the second minute Speare made the first of a string of fine saves when he tipped Lee Ellison's point blank header over the crossbar by Speare.

Speare could do nothing to stop the opening Barrow goal on 17 minutes. Brett Baxter was penalised for a hand ball 22 yards out and Bullimore stepped up and curled the ball David Beckham style into the Stanley net.

Barrow increased their lead ten minutes later when Nicky Peverill's cross from the right wing and his cross was met by Ellison who headed the ball into the net.

Stanley almost pulled a goal back three minutes later as Jonathan Smith got on the end of Steve Carragher's corner but Scott Maxfield cleared the ball off the goal line.

And four minutes into the second half Steve Housham beat Stanley's offside trap and found himself one on one with Speare but the Reds' keeper was again magnificent.

The killer third goal came two minutes later when Peverill headed home a right wing cross.

Stanley had a couple of chances for a consolation with record £15,000 buy Paul Mullin and substitute Liam Watson both going close.

And Smith met a Carragher corner with a powerful header that hit the underside of the Barrow crossbar.

But with only a minute to go Speare was again at his best to deny former Burnley player Nathan Peel.