Reds edge thriller

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 4 CRAWLEY TOWN 2

Six goals, disallowed strikes, two penalty appeals, this game had plenty of incidents and Stanley boss John Coleman admitted he was just relieved to get the three points.

The win moves the Reds up into fourth place in the league but the manager is desperate for his players to make it easier on him with only an injury time fourth goal ending any nerves.

"Me, Jimmy (Bell ) and Paul (Cook) have come off absolutely shattered. It is very draining emotionally and we have all come off with aches and pains," said the boss."

A win is a win and the relief when the fourth goal went in was unbelievable.

"In patches we have been absolutely breathtaking and other times we have been absolutely atrocious. We need to get some consistency back, we have got to stop conceding sloppy goals as ultimately it could cost us.

"Their first goal was a good goal, the defence has turned off a little bit, but it is a good ball and a great finish, the second goal was a really bad goal. He has made a predictable run and we have let him do it.

"But, all credit to the lads, we have come back and taken the game to them."

Stanley opened the scoring on three minutes through Ian Craney's 20 yard strike before the lively Steve Burton beat the off-side trap and levelled with a curling shot on 23 minutes.

Crawley were fuming when Andy Lindegaard appeared to be fouled in the area by Leam Richardson - but nothing was given.

And then it was Stanley's turn to be upset when Town captain Ian Simpemba headed into his own net - but it was disallowed for a foul.

Crawley then scored a goal which both managers agreed should have stood - but the referee didn't.

Clare's cross was tapped home by Chris Giles at the far post but the officials gave off-side.  And then, in a incident-packed first half, Steve Jagielka was fouled in the area on the half time whistle - but the ref again was  having none of it.

After the break, Stanley scored a controversial second when Gary Roberts beat the off side trap - although Crawley felt he hadn't - and the winger unselfishly squared for Jagielka to finish on 58 minutes.

But the visitors battled back with record signing Daryl Clare chipping Darren Randolph nine minutes later.

In an end to end game, it was advantage back to Stanley on 77 minutes when a Roberts' free kick was pushed into his own net by keeper Phil Smith. And the win was finally sealed when Benin international Romuald Boco made his Conference debut - and set up fellow sub Andy Mangan in injury time.