GOALKEEPER Lee Copeland was the Netherfield hero with a string of tremendous saves as Stanley crashed to a second consecutive defeat.

After Saturday's FA Cup exit at the hands of Whitby Town, John Coleman's men were eager to make amends against a Netherfield side they beat comfortably earlier this season.

But despite totally dominating this contest from start to finish, they failed to convert any of their numerous chances.

Jonathan Smith set the tone for the night when his powerful header after 13 minutes flew just wide. Nine minutes later, Brett Baxter saw his powerful shot superbly turned over the bar by Copeland.

And the Nethfield keeper then denied Jay Flannery, clawing away his 30 yard piledriver at full stretch.

It was completely against the run of play when Netherfield scored on 39 minutes. David Foster raced on to a long threw ball and, as Stanley keeper Jamie Speare lost his footing, his shot came back off the post but hit Smith and rolled into the net.

Stanley continued to pepper the home goal in the second half. Steve Hollis sent a dipping 25 yard free kick just over the bar and Copeland pushed away a long range effort from Shirley.

Stanley were reduced to 10 men on 78 minutes when John Doolan was sent off for using foul language.

But the visitors continued to create chances, as substitute Russell Payne produced another fine save from Copeland and Flannery's header came back off the post in the dying seconds.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.