ACCRINGTON STANLEY – 2

FLEETWOOD TOWN – 1

ACCRINGTON Stanley made it two wins from two games as they opened their Leasing.com Trophy group campaign with three points after they defeated Fleetwood Town 2-1. Second half goals from Wilson Carvalho and Sean McConville gave John Coleman's men the victory on a night where the Reds boss made seven changes to his starting XI. Paddy Madden replied late on with a spot kick. The goals came after Harrison Biggins was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on McConville.

The first goal action of the night came just inside the opening 10 minutes as youngster Toby Savin was called into action after Ched Evans’ volley was goal bound. The youngster did well to tip it around the post.

Lamine Kaba Sherif lit the touch paper for what was a fiery first half with his tackle on Wes Burns which led to the midfielder being stretchered off.

Fleetwood’s players wanted a red card, but a yellow was brandished.

The injury to Burns in the first part of the opening half disrupted proceedings after the midfielder was stretchered off with what looked to be an ankle injury.

Not long later referee Darren Handley did have his red card out as it didn’t take long for this Lancashire derby to catch fire as Biggins was sent on his way for a reckless challenge on McConville.

McConville has history with Fleetwood after seeing red at the Highbury Stadium himself a couple of weeks ago.

After the red card, Fleetwood manager Joey Barton set his team up in a 4-4-1 formation with Evans occupying Mark Hughes and Ross Sykes at the back for Stanley.

Fleetwood being a man down meant much of the possession was with the home side as they probed at the visitors’ defence while trying to find an opening.

Stanley striker Colby Bishop struggled to get involved in the play in the opening half as the Reds found it difficult to get the ball into his feet and link-up with the big striker.

The second half started much like the way the first period finished – with Stanley on the offensive and trying to break the deadlock as Fleetwood held firm with their 10 men.

Less than 10 minutes of the second half had gone by when Stanley took the lead through Carvalho.

The wide man’s shot from 25-yards took a deflection off the sliding Jordan Rossiter and nestled in the bottom corner of Alex Cairns goal.

Barton’s side took control of the game after they’d fallen behind as they looked to create chances to level things and take it to a penalty shootout in this cup tie.

With just over 15 minutes of the match to play, McConville secured the three points in the opening group game with a lovely finish across Cairns.

Bishop won the long ball in the air and his knock down landed at the feet of Ben Barclay – the midfielder slipped in McConville and he finished with ease.

A late penalty was awarded to the visitors and Madden put the ball beyond Savin.

Stanley: Savin, Hughes, Edwards, Syykes, Kaba Sherif (26’ Finley), Pritchard (70’ Charles), McConville, Maguire, Barclay (86' Johnson), Bishop, Carvalho

Unused subs: Evtimov, Francis-Angol, Rodgers, Bolton

Fleetwood: Cairns, Coyle, Eastham, Clarke, Andrew, Rossiter, Biggins, Dempsey, Burns (13’ Morris), Evans (Saunders 72’), Hunter (70’ Madden)

Unused subs: Gilks, Coutts, Sheron, Hill