BAMBER BRIDGE 1 TWO goals from striker Gary Williams helped Stanley progress to the quarter finals of the Unibond League Challenge Cup with a fourth straight win against Premier Division opposition.

It proved to be sweet revenge for the Reds, having lost 5-0 to Bamber Bridge at the Crown ground last season.

Accrington took the lead in the 12th minute when Steve Carragher hit a thunderbolt shot from 22 yards that went into the net off the upright, giving Bridge keeper Craig Dootson no chance.

Williams almost increased Stanley's lead when he chipped the ball over the hesitant keeper only for Simon Woodhead to race back and clear the ball off the goal-line.

Bridge had two good scoring chances before the break but Andy Whittaker and former Red Pete Smith both headed wide.

Stanley increased their lead 12 minutes into the second half following good work by Carragher, who pulled the ball back for Williams to strike a left foot shot past Dootson.

Stanley goalkeeper Jamie Speare made a brilliant double save on 63 minutes, initially blocking Ian Vickers' shot and then making an even better stop from the same player's follow up effort.

It became 3-0 on 69 minutes, Russell Payne took the ball round one defender and set up Williams who smashed in his 17th goal of the season, again giving Dootson no chance of saving.

Bridge twice hit the woodwork in as many minutes as Stephen Aspinall beat two Stanley defenders but saw his shot strike the crossbar and then Smith hit the upright from close range.

The visitors did finally score a consolation goal seven minutes from time when substitute Neil Spencer took the ball round Speare to score.

Stanley will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to seven games when they entertain Spalding in the FA Umbro Trophy on Saturday.

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