Fightback books final spot

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 4 NORTHWICH 3

STANLEY reached the Northern final of the GLS Conference Cup after coming behind against Conference strugglers Northwich.

It looked all over for the Reds as the resurgent Vics went two goals up within the first 11 minutes after defensive mistakes by the Stanley backline. With just 58 seconds gone, Robbie Williams and Mike Flynn failed to clear a cross and it was easy for pint sized Chris Gahgan to nip in at the far post and fire home.

Then, on 11 minutes, keeper Danny Alcock lost the ball from a Williams back pass and experienced striker Mark Quayle capitalised and walked the ball into the net.

The announcement of extra time if necessary brought ironic cheers from the watching 304 but the Reds kept their heads.There were plenty of chances with Paul Mullin failing to volley home from six yards out while Alcock did superbly well to push out a Quayle free header.

But Stanley got back in it just before half time when Steve Flitcroft's fierce drive was saved, Mullin had a go before it fell to Lee McEvilly at the far post who blasted home.

The half time team talk then did the trick as McEvilly burst through and, although the keeper got a touch, his shot sneaked into the bottom corner of the net on 59 minutes.

Then, on 74 minutes, substitute Rory Prendergast played in a great cross which Paul Mullin tucked home.Loan signing Matt O'Neill then got in on the act after the keeper lost the ball on the edge of the area and he did well to fire home through a crowd of bodies for his first Reds goal.

But it was a nervy ending as Johnny Allan finished in style on 84 minutes to make it 4-3 and Gaghan missed an injury time chance from six yards out.

"We have gifted them two goals but fortunately we haven't been punished," said manager John Coleman. "When we made it 2-1 at half-time though I knew there was only going to be one winner. The turning point was Danny's save at 2-0. He had gifted them a goal but then he bounced back well. 3-0 might have been a bridge too far.

"But we attacked well and could have had more. We had plenty of the play and I knew we couldn't have so much pressure and not win. Our unbeaten run is now 10 games and we have got to continue that. It is good to be in the Northern final and we want to be in the proper final and lift the cup."