Dead-Lee Double makes it five on bounce

EXETER 1 STANLEY 2

ACCRINGTON Stanley made it five wins on the bounce with a vital victory over promotion chasers Exeter at St James Park.

Lee McEvilly was the Reds hero at one end with two breakaway goals while keeper Paul Crichton was the star of the show at the other pulling off some stunning saves to keep out the City attack.

"We couldn't afford to lose this game," said boss John Coleman. "Even a draw would have been a good result so we are delighted with the win.

"I know they missed a couple of chances but we missed a couple and, on the balance of play, I think we deserved to win the game. All the lads gave 100 per cent. Now we can't leave it here - we have to go on.

"We have shown we can come to places like this and win but there are a lot of hard games still to go starting with leaders Barnet on Saturday."

McEvilly opened the scoring on eight minutes when Paul Mullin put him through and he finished superbly, firing past keeper Paul Jones from a tight angle. From then on it was wave after wave of Exeter attacks and they made one count on 25 minues.

A cross from top scorer Sean Devine was lashed against the underside of the crossbar by Dean Moxey and Jake Edwards was there to pounce and strike the ball home. Exeter continued to go in the hunt with Crichton keeping out Kwame Ampudu's 25 yard drive, pushing away Devine's effort and palming away another Devine strike.

After the break Les Afful had some good chances which Crichton kept out and the winger then skied a sitter with the goal gaping and Alex Jeannin's free header was again saved by the shot-stopper.

Then a Crichton goal kick got caught in the wind, the defence left it and McEvilly pounced to calmy drill home number two on 57 minutes. Exeter kept charging forward as Stanley put on Jonathan Smith to make it five defenders at the back and Exeter just couldn't get past them

"Lee's done great, as has Paul Mullin while Paul (Crichton) is a good experienced keeper," said Coleman. "Although your heart is in your mouth at the end they haven't really made that many chances in the last 20 minutes and we have defended quite comfortably. Five wins on the bounce now and we must carry on."