A HEADED goal on the hour mark by defender Jonathan Smith gave Stanley the three points at lowly Gretna to record their third consecutive away victory.

After a quiet opening Stanley almost took the lead on 24 minutes when a Mark Ceraolo shot was blocked and the rebound came to Steve Carragher whose shot on the turn was just wide of the target.

The best chance of the first half fell to Gretna two minutes before the break, Paul Tomlinson cleared a free kick only as far as Chris Neil, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the outside of the upright.

Gretna started the second half brightly with Alan Hodgson creating a chance for Craig Potts who blasted over the crossbar.

Against the run of play Stanley took the lead after an hour when Carragher and player manager John Coleman combined well and Coleman flicked the ball up for Smith to head the ball beyond Gretna keeper Nick Hill.

On 66 minutes Hill was injured in an accidental clash with Ceraolo and after a five minute stoppage he had to be taken off and skipper Jim Brown took over in the Gretna goal.

Stanley created two late chances but Russell Payne and substitute Jimmy Bell squandered both efforts.

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