10-man Stanley see win run end

MORECAMBE 3
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

ACCRINGTON Stanley's five game winning streak came to an end at the hands of rivals Morecambe at Christie Park.

The clash couldn't have got off to a worse start when left back Chris Butler tackled Garry Thompson on the edge of the area - and the ref judged Butler to be the last man and was immediately shown a straight red on just three minutes.

It was the Reds first sending off of the season but they still had the early pressure with David Brown firing wide and Gary Roberts volleying into the side netting.

Stanley keeper Darren Randolph did well  to block a Michael Twiss effort before the Shrimps took the lead on 33 minutes.

Wayne Curtis ran from his own half and played a ball which outwitted the Reds defence to send Twiss free and he finished superbly, shooting beyond the diving Randolph.

Ten-men Stanley still had chances with Ian Craney's 18 yard blast kept out by Ryan Robinson while the keeper caught Roberts free kick at the second attempt and Brown should have done better from a Paul Mullin cross with the goal gaping but fired wide.

Curtis was through one-on-one just before half-time but amazingly blasted over and then the Reds equalised from a Craney 20 yard free kick which took a deflection on the stroke of half-time.

Morecambe recovered their advantage on 51 minutes following a move started by Curtis, Dave Perkins set up Twiss and the striker rifled the ball into the roof of the net for his sixth goal of the campaign.

It was all Morecambe then as the 10-men Reds became stretched with a Curtis effort blocked on the line by Robbie Williams.

Boss John Coleman put Andy Mangan and Rommy Boco as he looked for the win but it was Morecambe who got a third on 73 minutes, Garry Thompson's shot was blocked on the line by Mike Flynn but fell for Carlton to tap home.

 Stanley staged a late revival when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mullin which captain Peter Cavanagh struck home on 83 minutes.

But, despite late pressure, Morecambe went to joint second with Stanley with the three points.

"It was never a sending off," fumed Coleman. "The lad's first touch took him away from goal, it was not a deliberate foul and there were three men closing in. But saying that, with 10 men, we have had more chances than them and for long periods been the better side."