Deserved share
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
missed opportunities in both halves to put the game beyond the home side.
Life has been similar for these teams so far this campaign, having seen defeat on the first day they were both unbeaten heading into kick off.
Joey Barton’s men were also two points and two places better off than their fellow Lancastrians as the teams took to the field in the September sunshine.
It was one-way traffic in the first half, as has been the case in most games this season for Accrington, but again they would miss the killer instinct that served them so well last year.
After seven minutes Callum Johnson won the ball on an overlap with Jordan Clark and drove across the box, crossing well only for the ball to evade all and trickle to safety, setting the tone for what was to come.
The two full-backs were linking well with the wingers and Nick Anderton was next to find space and cross into the box. Callum Johnson met the cross at the back post only to see his connection again go across goal and out of play.
Sam Finley was next to break through, beating two men he played the ball into Billy Kee who looked to strike low across the keeper. The shot struck a defender whose blushes were saved as the ball found the hands of keeper Alex Cairns.
The home side grabbed a foothold in the game and on 37 minutes Stanley were made to pay for not converting.
A free-kick given away in a dangerous area was floated into the box. Surrounded by a sea of Blue shirts, Cian Bolger rose highest, his header bounced towards the unmarked back post and nestled into the goal. It would again be an uphill battle for points in this one for Stanley.
There was still time for Kee to try his luck with an overhead kick before the break, his effort flying over the bar and the home side took their advantage into the interval.
Stanley came out quicker in the second period also, the introduction of Offrande Zanzala and Daniel Barlaser on the hour meant that the pressure was mounting in the Fleetwood box.
Finley broke past his man and with three men in support he only had the keeper to beat.
To the dismay of the travelling fans, Cairns was equal to his shot, pulling off a wonderful save and holding on to the ball in the process.
Another throw-in from an advanced position meant the away support stirred behind the Fleetwood goal and they would soon be rewarded for their patience.
Loan man Anderton looked to find Kee but the home defence was first to the ball. The clearing header from Bolger was only good enough to find Sean McConville who needed two touches to bring the ball under control and find the back of the net, sending 652 travelling Accringtonians into celebration.
It was the reliable long throw once more from Anderton which almost resulted in the winner.
Kee fed the ball in to Barlaser who again got the best from man of the match, Cairns. The stopper pushed the ball behind, meaning the game finished all square.
The point meant Stanley remain in the top 10 for another week, level on points with three others.
The visit of AFC Wimbledon is the first since the Wombles won at the Crown Ground in the League 2 play-offs three seasons ago.
Coleman’s men will be hoping they can settle an old score against a visiting side who have had a stuttered start. Stanley are also yet to register a home win this season and will be hoping to do so at the fifth time of asking.