Coleman demands Stanley improve
ACCRINGTON boss John Coleman has warned his side to buck up their ideas after they clung on for victory at home to Plymouth.
Striker Kal Naismith’s scuffed 13th-minute shot crept under the body of Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, and despite the visitors throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Stanley, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
The Pilgrims had two second-half shots cleared off the line and while Coleman gave credit to his defence, he acknowledged that he will be looking for improvements in the coming weeks.
“We are not going to play like that and win a lot of games,” he said.“We did not reach the standards we can reach and things just did not come off for us.
“We did not fire going forward but having said that the back four, the two holding midfielders and the keeper were outstanding and stuck to their game really well.
“Last week was all about attacking, and the attackers got our defenders out of jail.
“But this week the defenders have returned the favour.We know we can improve but we have a cornerstone to build on.”
The visitors came flying out of the blocks at the Crown Ground with Marvin Morgan and Nathan Thomas failing to capitalise on early chances. Accrington grew into the game, however and went ahead through Naismith’s untidy effort.
The Pilgrims’ best chance of the first period came after 33 minutes as a pinpoint free-kick from the lively Bobby Reid found an unmarked Curtis Nelson – but the captain could only head over from six yards.
Naismith then had a glorious opportunity to double Stanley’s lead when put clean through, but he fired over the crossbar with the target gaping.
Plymouth almost found the equaliser in the second period but substitute Deane Smalley’s near-post header was cleared off the line by Naismith.
Accrington then cleared off the line for a second time with just five minutes remaining when Nicky Hunt got his foot to Kelvin Mellor’s effort.
But Plymouth manager John Sheridan refused to make excuses for his team despite the statistics bearing out their domination.
“We had 14 or 15 corners but stats don’t mean anything,” said Sheridan. “Goals win you football matches and we haven’t scored.
“I am very frustrated – I know the fans are frustrated because they come to see us win games.
“What makes it even harder is that sometimes it is easy to say the better team won but I can’t say that here.”