‘Sometimes it’s annoying that we do overplay a little but we’re winning games’

CAMERON SUTCLIFFE-DOWNES

STANLEY have extended their unbeaten run to 15 games after a 1-0 win over Crawley Town.

Shay McCartan scored his 11th goal of the season to keep Accrington’s playoff ambitions looking more and more likely with every game after another home win.

The visitors’ safety in the division wasn’t secure before kick-off and Crawley started the game well and created the early chances. Crawley’s key man James Collins, who has scored 20 goals this season, fired a shot just wide after a clearance had rebounded into his path.

Chances were hard to come by for both teams early on. Billy Kee had Stanley’s first shot on target from the edge of the area in the 20th minute but it was easy for keeper Glenn Morris to deal with. Just a minute later Matty Pearson was also denied by Morris at the near post.

Shay McCartan struck a free kick from 35 yards but again it was easy for Morris to hold.

Crawley had their first real chance to take the lead on 28 minutes, however, James Collins was denied by a superb block by Mark Hughes who was harshly booked for handball.

Pearson had another opportunity on 32 minutes. After McCartan’s shot was deflected the ball fell to Pearson who was six yards out but he saw his effort blocked. The midfielder being denied a goal on his 100th Accrington Stanley appearance.

Stanley scored what would prove to be the winner just three minutes into the second half. Sean McConville played a fantastic ball through the Crawley defence for Shay

McConville tried to extend the lead with a curled effort which clipped the inside of the far post.

Crawley then went close to snatching a late equaliser. After winning the ball Josh Payne hit a striker from outside the area which Accrington keeper Marek Rodak could only parry. The rebound fell kindly for striker James Collins but he fired over the bar.

The visitors piled on the pressure late on but Accrington held on for the win along with a second successive clean sheet.

The win means that Stanley have preserved their unbeaten home record in 2017 as they try to win a play-off place.

Manager John Coleman praised his players for sticking to their style despite groans from the fans.

“Sometimes it’s annoying that we do overplay a little and we do go backwards a little bit too quickly, but we’re winning games and that’s got to be the key objective. When we do get our passing right we do play well.”