Craney saves Stanley

STANLEY 1 HALIFAX 1

ACCRINGTON Stanley's Ian Craney came off the bench to score a vital last minute equaliser for his side against play-off challengers Halifax.

The second placed side looked like they were heading to their first defeat in seven outings after Ryan Sugden had fired Town ahead in the 60th minute.

But the midfielder back-heeled the ball into the net in the 89th minute from a Prendergast cross to salvage a point for Stanley. "You can't lose these games, that is the key thing," said boss John Coleman. "The relief was not at getting a point, it was taking two from Halifax.

"We had tried to guard against a hangover after our win against leaders Barnet on Saruday but maybe we basked in glory for too long."

Stanley didn't perform to the high standards they set on Saturday with their 4-1 win over the Bees, and their best chance fell to Lee McEvilly in the first half. He burst into the area on 14 minutes but keeper Ian Dunbavin was their to deny him.

Lewis Killeen had a shot saved for Halifax while defender Adam Quinn headed over on the stroke of half time. After the break it was all Halifax and a Chris Butler mistake led to the opener. He failed to clear the ball, it fell to Sugden and he and Killeen worked well with Sugden blasting the ball home from 15 yards.

They continued to press but Stanley went three up front with Jonathan Smith and began to find a way through. And, at the death, a Prendergast corner was headed goalwards by Smith. it was cleared off the line but the winger put the ball back in and Craney finished in style for an important point.