BURTON ALBION 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

IT WASN't a Good Friday for Accrington Stanley as they threw away a two goal lead, three points and the chance to move up to second spot in the Conference table.

The Reds had dropped down to eighth place following Friday afternoon's matches but, after racing into a 2-0 lead at their bogey ground, Eton Park, they looked like second place would be their's.

But, to their credit, Burton fought back and in the end manager JOhn Coleman was frustrated his side couldn't make it three wins on the bounce.

"You have got to give Burton credit but we visibly tired towards the end. I think if we hadn't had the long trip to Canvey Island in midweek it would have been no problem. But I think getting back at 4am mentally and physically took its toll.

"It is disappointing as we conceded two goals from set-pieces but now we have to bounce back on Monday against York."

Stanley had a dream start on four minutes when a Peter Cavanagh corner ended up at the far end of the area, David Brown placed the ball back in and Robbie Williams headed home for his second goal of the season. It was almost deja vue minutes later when Craig Dudley cleared another Williams header from a Cavanagh corner off the line. And he had a futher chance which was finger-tipped over by keeper James Coates.

It was all Stanley as they ran the show but, just before half-time, Burtonstarted applying some pressure. And it seemed they had the equaliser on 52 minutes when Jon Shaw hit the post with a 25 yard effort with Dale Anderson's follow up finding the back of the net - but it was ruled out for off-side. And from the resulting goalkick, Brown raced down the right wing and his cross was perfect for Ian Craney to head home to give Stanley the cushion.

But Burton never gave up and were cursing their luck when the crossbar denied them again from another Anderson shot. And they finally found a way through on 67 minutes when an Andy Ducros corner by Paul Crichton who appeared to push the ball into his own net - although Shaw was coming in and claimed it on 67 minutes.

The crowd then came to life as Burton piled on the pressure but it looked like Stanley would hold firm until six minutes from time. Then, from another Ducros corner, Barry Miller was there in a crowd of
bodies to force the ball home.

It was a grandstand finish with Burton pressing and Jon Smith came close with a header but both sides shared the spoils.