CRAWLEY TOWN 2

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0

STANLEY manager John Coleman admitted his side now need four wins from their last four Conference games if they are to reach the play-offs.

The Reds have picked up just two points in their last three games and the loss at Crawley Town dropped them into seventh in the league - and it could get worse with their rivals playing on Tuesday night.

"If we get four wins we will make the play-offs but it is a big ask," admitted the downcast manager.

Accrington dominated the opening period forcing corner after corner but were unable to make any count. T hey should have taken the lead when David Brown squared to Matt O'Neill in the area but his effort from six yards out was tipped onto the crossbar by keeper Andy Little.

Then, in their first attack, the home side - who had won 12 out of 18 home league games prior to the match - opened the scoring on 34 minutes. Simon Wormull hit the post with an effort and their new signing Steve Burton nipped in to fire home the rebound past Danny Alcock - in goal for Paul Crichton, who looks like he won't play for the Reds again although is contracted to the club until the end of the season.

Stanley pressed and seemed sure to grab the equaliser when Paul Mullin broke through on the right of the area but his shot hit the bottom of the upright on 42 minutes - but again no one was there to pounce on the rebound.

The Reds continued to force the pace in the early stages of the second half but it all went wrong on 54 minutes when Danny Marney headed home the second.  Coleman put on Lee McEvilly, Steve Jagielka and Rory Prendergast - while worryingly Mike Flynn hobbled off injured- but it was all to no avail.

"I am as low as I have been in my managerial career," said Coleman who kept the players in the dressing room for 40 minutes after the game.

"It is down to two individual errors. We haven't take our chances again and how often have I said that this season?"

Stanley travel to Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday night in the GLS Conference Cup final. The winners face Woking on April 27 in the national final with the venue decided on the toss of the coin.

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