ACCRINGTON can count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points as they had what appeared to be a perfectly good goal disallowed five minutes from time.

Russell Payne's close range strike being disallowed for a push on a Matlock defender.

Visitors Matlock almost took a shock lead on 14 minutes when Reds defender Jonathan Smith totally mis-kicked a clearance which looped over keeper Jamie Speare but hit the crossbar.

Five minutes before half time, a cross by Paul Farley was met by a strong header from Will Davies but Speare turned it away for a corner. A minute later Mark Brennan set up Stanley's Steve Carragher whose shot was well saved by Mike Heath.

Ten minutes into the second half a strong run down the right by Payne saw him cross to player/manager John Coleman, whose header went just over the crossbar.

Stanley were in control with Coleman striking a 30-yard free kick at Heath on 57 minutes, and then two minutes later Jay Flannery hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area which Heath again saved.

On 61 minutes Speare had to be alert to turn a 35-yard free kick by Paul Burton over the crossbar. Matlock keeper Heath again came to his side's rescue on 63 minutes when he brilliantly turned away a Payne shot, and from the resulting corner, he blocked Flannery's effort.

The Reds' decision to stick to a 3pm kick off proved to be vindicated with an above-average attendance of 404.

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