ACCRINGTON Stanley have reached the semi finals of the LFA Cup after a hard-fought victory over league rivals Mellor Juniors.

It was the third time the Reds had got the better of their fellow Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and District Junior and Youth League side but it was a far from convincing victory.

Having completed a league double over Mellor, Reds were hot favourites to make it three out of three.

But despite two early chances to take the lead, Stanley looked nervy and it was Mellor who were playing the more attractive football - but without really threatening the opponents' goal.

Reds skipper Jordan Scott went close in the opening minutes, firing wide when well place then curled a free kick on to the roof of the net.

Mellor had chances of their own when Stephen McGill threaded a pass through to Obeid Soge who was bundled over on the edge of the area. But Mellor could not capitalise from the free kick and one that followed moments later.

Stanley did make their next chance count when Aaron Butterworth released Brayden Shaw who finished with confidence.

It should have settled Accrington nerves but there was still an edgy feel about their play. In contrast, Mellor appeared comfortable on the ball typified soon after in the move of the match.

Jack Ellison broke from the edge of his own area then showed great awareness to switch play to Jordan Bury who in turn split the Stanley defence to set Soge racing in on goal. But the striker dragged his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Jordan Faulkner then sent in a deep cross that Dom Walsh met with a firmly struck volley but Stanley keeper Bradley Howe got down low to beat away the shot.

It was a let off for Stanley who went in to the break with a two goal cushion when Dale Poulton exchanged passes with Butterworth before firing low beyond Corey Whistler in the Mellor goal.

While Mellor continued to work hard after the restart, Stanley grew in confidence with skipper Scott becoming more and more influential.

But there was another let off for Stanley when Brad Juliff's lofted pass out of defence gave Soge a great chance to cut the deficit but again he failed to hit the target.

In the final quarter, Whistler was becoming the busiest player on the pitch in the Mellor goal underlining Stanley's increasing grip on the game.

Brayden Shaw volleyed a Scott corner over the bar before Whistler did well to palm away a close range Scott volley.

Whistler then dived full length to finger tip away a long range effort from Scott then beat away Wayne Skinner's effort from the resulting corner.

But Stanley's pressure eventually paid off and typically Scott was in the thick of the action.

The midfielder picked the ball up on the right touchline and threaded a superb ball through to Butterworth who stroked the ball beyond the advancing Whistler.

In the end, it was a comfortable victory but Stanley know they need to raise their game if they are to reach the LFA final.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY: Bradley Howe, Robson Griffiths, Wayne Skinner, Saul Waitehead, Jordan Duckworth, Jordan Scott, Brayden Shaw, Aaron Butterworth, Keaton Grant, Dale Poulton, Callam McPartlan, Oliver Jackson, Baillie Tucker, Scott Booth.

MELLOR JUNIORS: Corey Whistler, Liam Walder, Liam Fairnington, Oliver James, Obeid Soge, Qasim Ali, Sam Buchanan, Jordan Bury, Jack Ellison, Jordan Faulkner, Brad Juliff, Rob Smith, Stephen McGill, Dom Walsh.