Costly decisions
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman felt another controversial decision cost his side as they were denied an impressive win and in a 1-1 draw at Wycombe on Tuesday.
It looked like Stanley were on course for a superb away win against the high-flying chairboys when Dion Charles scored for the visitors just before the break. But Wycombe equalised from the penalty spot with just over 15 minutes to go. Coleman admitted that his team were wasteful in possession, but also thought the penalty awarded against his side was up for debate.
“I think ‘dubious penalty’ and Accrington Stanley go hand in hand at the moment,” said Coleman.
“We expected Wycombe to come out in the second half and have a go, we stood up to them really well, we defended really well and we made chances as well, we had the two best chances of the second half.
“What I am pleased about is how resolute we were defensively, the physical presence we showed when Adebayo Akinfenwa came on because he is always going to be a handful.
“Dimitar Evtimov commanded his box and apart from the penalty he didn’t have a save to make and that is pleasing, that is testament to how well we defended.
“There have been a lot of harsh words after the weekend defeat, and the lads responded really well.
“We are disappointed we did not hurt them enough in the second half. We were wasteful in possession and that is what cost us all three points.”
The result leaves Stanley in 20th position in the League One table, three points above the relegation zone, having won one, drawn three and lost four points of their eight games so far this season. Wycombe are in third position on 16 points, with four wins, four draws and just one defeat from their nine games.
Stanley return to action this weekend, when they welcome Blackpool to the Wham Stadium on Saturday.
Blackpool head into the match on the back of an impressive win, after Armand Gnaduillet scored to secure his side a 1-0 victory away from home against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
That victory has seen Blackpool climb to fifth place in the table, and also ended their run of two straight defeats.
Stanley will be looking for revenge in the fixture, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Blackpool when the two teams met in this fixture last season.
Matty Virtue and Jay Spearing scored for Blackpool to cancel out Luke Armstrong’s goal for Stanley, with the hosts also having Dimitar Evtimov sent off.
Victory for Accrington could see them climb to 17th place in the table if other results go their way.