Terry’s all gold as super sub hits winner
ACCRINGTON boss John Coleman hailed his brave late substitution that clinched play-off chasing Stanley’s eighth away win and extended Mansfield’s poor home record.
Coleman brought on Terry Gornell for the more defensive Piero Mingoia at 1-1 and the forward scored one and made another in a thrilling finish.
“We had a choice, whether to try to hold out for a draw or try to win the game,” Coleman said.
“I am a firm believer in always trying to take all three points, so we took a defender off and put a centre-forward on. It paid dividends for us. Terry had a hand in the second goal and scored the third.
“Sometimes things go for you when you make a decision like that. It could have easily backfired.
“We could have been out of sight in the first 15 to 20 minutes as we created some good chances.We played some great football.
“We were hanging on (at the end) when the game should never have got to that stage in terms of the chances we created.”
Accrington led after three minutes when Mingoia turned in Josh Windass’ cross – the tenth goal Mansfield had conceded in the first 15 minutes this season – but after home keeper Brian Jensen twice denied Sean McConville from point-blank range, the Stags levelled.
Tom Davies miskicked a hopeful punt forwards and Matt Green pounced to celebrate his 29th birthday with the leveller, firing in off the post.
After Mansfield dominated the start of the second half, their former striker Billy Kee restored Accrington’s lead 18 minutes from time and substitute Gornell secured the win in the 84th minute.
Kee smashed in a 14-yard drive after a defensive block from Gornell’s shot spun up invitingly and Gornell converted the rebound after his header from substitute Adam Buxton’s cross was palmed against the post by Jensen.
Chris Clements gave the Stags hope of extending their four-match unbeaten run with a 20-yard 88th-minute free-kick, but they failed to create another clear chance to snatch a point and now have just three home wins. Manager Adam Murray said: “That game was like putting a gun to your head and shooting yourself.
“We have conceded three awful goals and then we are nowhere near as clinical as we need to be at the other end.
“It was an awful start again, which people have got to take responsibility for as it’s becoming a joke.
“Then we get back to 1-1 and for me there was only one team in it.We had two great chances where, if we are clinical and have a bit more X-factor, it’s 3-1.
“You can’t concede goals like we do and expect to be at the right end of the table.”