ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has admitted he is concerned at his side’s failure to score away from home after their unbeaten start to the League Two season came to an end at leaders Port Vale on Saturday.

Stanley were beaten 2-0 at Vale Park - their first defeat in eight league matches this term - but they remain seventh in the table ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Stockport County.

The Reds had not conceded away from home before Saturday’s clash but they had also not scored in a league match on the road, and that run has now been extended to a concerning four matches.

“It is a worry that we haven’t scored away from home this season and it’s something we have to address,” said Coleman.

“I’m disappointed. I thought we were poor in the first half.

“We made a great start, Phil Edwards (below) volleyed over the bar and then we could and should have had a penalty.

“But we lost our way. We didn’t pass the ball anywhere near like we can, sat too deep and didn't defend like we can or compete like we can.

“We went in 1-0 down at half time and, even though our keeper hadn’t really made a save, I think they were value for that.

“In the second half there was only one team in it. I don't think we deserved to lose the game and 2-0 puts a false reflection on the scoreline.

“They scored on the counter when we pushed everyone up for a free kick with seven minutes to go, although it was bad defending as well and we still had enough about us that we could have stopped that.

“But the second half was encouraging. We took the game to them, missed a couple of chances and on another day we could have got something and possibly got more than a point.

“But we’ve got to learn from our errors in the first half. We’ll sit the players down and show them, and hopefully we’ll put it right on Tuesday.

“The way we set up is heavily based on retaining possession.

“We did in the second half and we made chances, but we didn’t in the first half.”