CANVEY ISLAND 0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

PAUL Mullin celebrated a double as Stanley moved up to fourth place in the Conference table following their victory over strugglers Canvey Island.

And it was also a celebration for the Reds backline who kept their first clean sheet since December in the league.

Manager John Coleman made three changes with Lee McEvilly suspended, Ged Brannan injured and Gary Roberts was dropped to the bench. In came Rory Prendergast, Ian Craney and Andy Procter and they all played their part in the capture of another three vital points.

The Reds took the lead with their first attack at Park Lane when Prendergast broke on the wing and played an inch-perfect cross which Mullin touched over the line after just seven minutes.

David Brown also came close from 25 yards with a fierce blast which went just wide but Canvey could have equalised when Chris Duffy's shot was pushed out by Paul Crichton and Mike Flynn had to clear the ball with Island top scorer Lee Boylan waiting to pounce.

With only one goal in it, Canvey kept pressing without any clear cut chances before  Stanley made it two with the same combination - Prendergast cross and this time Mullin headed home for his 17 Conference goal of the season on 65 minutes.

Canvey, 18th in the table, never stopped giving their all but couldn't get past a firm Reds backline.

"We started really bright but they had a spell and pinned us back and they were unfortunate not to equalise," said manager John Coleman. "But we got our second and were quite comfortable and could have won it by three or four which is pleasing.

"Paul Mullin was magnificent. He led the line superbly, got his two goals and even tracked back to win tackles at right back!"

Although the table looks sweeter, the manager refused to get carried away.

"We are in the top five but there is a long way to go and it is only two wins in our last two games. We can't govern what any other sides will do now. Any team who strings a series of results together will get into the play offs and we have got to hope it is us."

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