Stanley boss John Coleman says his side’s performance was “unacceptable” during their 3-0 loss against Fleetwood.

Carlos Mendes Gomes, Shaun Rooney and Josh Earl were all on target during a costly 10-minute spell as the Reds suffered a fifth successive defeat in League One.

The result leaves Coleman’s men 20th in the table – two points above the relegation zone after 16 matches.

He said: “Firstly I’ve got to apologise to the travelling fans, on behalf of the players I might add, because that second-half performance just wasn’t good enough.

“After a jittery first five minutes, I thought we controlled much of the half and had the better opportunities. We kept them at arm’s length for most of the half.

“Second half we started bright, moved the ball in and around their box but – after a sloppy scramble – they found their lad in space and he’s finished it well.

“Things like that happen in football and you’ve got to rise above that, but eight minutes later you’re three down and the game is over.

“For big periods of the second half they’re walking through us. Having shots on our goal that they didn’t have in the first half.

“They’ve got their tails up and it looks a comprehensive beating – and it’s exactly that. You wouldn’t have seen that coming in the first half.

“We’re desperate for a clean sheet and then we turn in a performance like that. It’s unacceptable for the fans and it’s unacceptable for me and my staff.”

The Reds are back in action on Tuesday night when they make the trip to 14th-place Lincoln City (KO 7:45pm).