TWO goals from Darren Thornton gave the Reds a well-deserved victory in the UniBond Premier Division.

Droylsden almost took an eighth minute lead when a Alan Pannett shot hit the crossbar.

Stanley's Brian Welch had a good effort saved by Phil Melville on 22 minutes.

Stanley took the lead in the 39th minute. John McNally played a short corner to Chris Molloy who crossed for Darren Quick to head down for Thornton to score.

Within a minute of the restart Thornton latched on to a poor back pass to net his second goal and seconds later could have completed his hat trick with a shot that hit the crossbar.

Droylsden pulled a goal back four minutes from time through Nigel Evans and only a good save by Rob Mulloy in stoppage time prevented Chris Wood equalising.

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