Super sub Brown shoots down Gulls

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1

CANVEY ISLAND 0

Super sub David Brown needed just four minutes to score the winner but it was cruel on the battling Gulls in the Conference opener at the Interlink.

Brown had surprisingly started on the bench but, as Stanley's front two struggled to make an impact on goal, the striker came on in the second half and volleyed home low into the bottom corner of the net on 68 minutes.

But Canvey were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point from their long trip north. Their prolific striker Lee Boylan was always a handful and debutant keeper Stuart Jones kept him out twice with some superb saves.

And former Red Stuart Bimson was unlucky with a 35 yard effort which hit the foot of the post and bounced out to safety.

"They had their chances and our keeper has pulled off two great saves," said Stanley boss John Coleman. "But Browny took his goal well. He has been struggling with his confidence in front of goal recently so this will have done him the world of good. A draw would have been a fair result but we will get better."

Stanley were also guilty of missing good chances in front of goal with Steve Jagielka the main culprit - mis-kicking one clear effort with the goal at his mercy and volleying over the second.

And Anthony Barry also headed wide the Gulls defender Ben Chenery had miskicked a clearance and left him through on goal.

"We did look a little nervous but we will improve," added Coleman.

Anthony Barry receives man of match award. Pictures: www.kipax.com