Bogey men seen off

GRAVESEND 1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 3

ACCRINGTON Stanley saw off another bogey team as they opened up a 13 point gap at the top of the Conference table.

The Reds had never beaten Gravesend in their five previous encounters and the home side did give the Stanley defence a torrid time early on on Friday night.

The visitors struggled to get going on a bobbly pitch until they forced three corners on 36 minutes.

Gary Roberts took each and, on the final one, Gravesend defender Brad Johnson could only flick the ball onto the underside of his own crossbar and Andy Todd was on the line to force the ball over - his first Stanley goal.

It was then touch and go until the 67th minute when a catalogue of errors on the edge of the area handed Stanley a second. The ball fell nicely for Mullin in front of the defence to slip the ball under Craig Holloway.

Roberts then came close to his wonder goal with his free kick on 68 minutes which hit the bar but it wasn't long before Stanley were celebrating a third when the left winger played a great ball to Mullin after a short corner and he finished well for his 13th goal of the campaign.

Coleman was mad as, in injury time, Ross Smith got a free header from a Rob Watkins cross to get one back and the home side could have had another but Sodje headed straight into Elliot's arms.

"It was a tough game for us," said boss John Coleman. "They have had a good go at us in the first 10 minutes and we have weathered the storm. That was a very professional performance. We could have scored more goals very unlucky not to get a penalty just before half time but we have kept going and I was very disappointed to concede a goal although, by that time the game was won. Saying that, you never know with us!"