Accrington Stanley

Accrington get Doherty on board
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman has made former Port Vale midfielder Sean Doherty his first signing since clinching the Conference title. Doherty, 21, made a handful of appearances for Vale last season after a spell playing in Dutch football. "To be honest I don't know if we'd have been able to bring him here if we were in the Conference," Coleman told the club's website. "The benefits of being in the League are already having an effect."

Chester 2-0 Accrington
Chester spoiled Accrington's return to the Football League as Drewe Broughton and Gregg Blundell both scored to complete a comfortable win. The unmarked Broughton headed Laurence Wilson's cross in after 15 minutes as Chester started in dominant fashion. Andy Todd and Romuald Boco went closest for Stanley, but Chester were always in command after their early goal. Blundell picked himself up after Robbie Williams' 84th-minute foul to score the penalty and make sure of the points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chester: Danby, Linwood, Westwood, Artell, Stephen Vaughan (Marples 83), Bennett, Martinez (McSporran 70), Hand, Wilson, Broughton (Blundell 57), Walters. Subs Not Used: Allen, Rutherford. Booked: Martinez, Artell, Stephen Vaughan, Hand. Goals: Broughton 15, Blundell 86 pen. Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Welch, Williams, Richardson, Doherty (Todd 15), Craney, Proctor (Harris 75), Roberts, Mullin (Mangan 62), Boco. Subs Not Used: Brown, Edwards. Booked: Williams, Harris. Att: 3,779 Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Coleman eyes Stanley kick-start
Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman believes his side just needs a goal to kick-start their League campaign. The Conference champions slipped to their second successive 2-0 defeat against Darlington on Tuesday night after dominating the opening half-hour. \"I am not down. We played well, but we are not clinical enough,\" said Coleman, who wants to strengthen his squad. \"We have to realise that it's a tough league. But we are a good side and just need to get a goal.\"

Accrington 2-1 Barnet
Rommy Boco scored twice as Accrington notched their first Football League goals in 44 years and five months to earn them their first win this season. The Frenchman opened the scoring after 34 minutes when veteran defender Paul Warhurst failed to clear his line and he lobbed the ball into the net. Boco then notched his second when he latched onto the rebound after Ian Craney's shot was saved by the keeper. Simon King pulled a goal back on 89 minutes but it was too little too late. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Williams, Welch, Richardson, Todd (Edwards 86), Craney, Harris, Roberts, Mullin, Boco (N'da 90). Subs Not Used: Mangan, Brown, Byrom. Booked: Boco, Richardson. Goals: Boco 35, 53. Barnet: Harrison, Hendon (Charles 71), Warhurst, King, Nicolau, Cogan (Graham 81), Hessenthaler, Sinclair, Bailey, Hatch (Vieira 70), Kandol. Subs Not Used: Flitney, Grazioli. Booked: Hessenthaler. Goals: King 89. Att: 1,639. Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).

Stockport v Accrington
Stockport striker Tes Bramble is likely to sit out the Edgeley Park match after tweaking a hamstring in training. New signing Adam Proudlock is also unlikely to start because of a lack of match fitness. Accrington midfielder Sean Doherty returns to the squad after proving his recovery from an ankle injury by coming through a reserve game. On-loan goalkeeper Rob Elliot (ankle) is close to a return but needs clearance from Charlton.

Stockport 1-1 Accrington
Defender Michael Welch salvaged a point for Accrington Stanley with a superb 35-yard shot 12 minutes from time to rescue a point for Accrington. Stockport opened the scoring on 12 minutes thanks to Glenn Murray's neat finish from an Adam Griffin cross. Murray then shot wide following a Rob Clare knock-down, but Accrington also went close with Andrew Todd's header. Substitute Sean Doherty could have won the game late on when he shot wide with County keeper James Spencer stranded. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stockport: Spencer, Clare, Williams, Owen, Robinson, Briggs (Malcolm 79), Dinning, Taylor, Griffin, Murray, Le Fondre (Proudlock 72). Subs Not Used: Deasy, Rose, Raynes. Goals: Murray 12. Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Welch, Williams, Richardson, Todd (Doherty 77), Craney, Harris (Mangan 67), Roberts, Mullin, Boco. Subs Not Used: Edwards, N'da, Byrom. Goals: Welch 78. Att: 5,291. Ref: D Foster (Tyne & Wear).

Accrington 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Paul Mullin's deflected shot gave Accrington Stanley a shock victory over four-times winners Nottingham Forest in the first round of the Carling Cup. Stanley took the lead on 61 minutes when Mullin's shot hit Forest defender Danny Cullip and bounced into the net. Forest had plenty of chances late on and Neil Harris went closest to equalising with a close-range header. But Stanley held on to claim a memorable victory - their first ever in this competition. Accrington have won only one League Two game this season following their return to the Football League after a 44-year absence. In contrast, former European champions Forest have made a flying start to their League One campaign, winning all four of their League games. Forest boss Colin Calderwood had made five changes to the side that beat Brighton on Saturday but the visitors were still big favourites to triumph here. Stanley had other ideas, and even before Mullin's goal, Gary Roberts and Rommy Boco both tested Forest keeper Paul Smith. The Lancashire club were hanging on by the end but Stanley keeper Ian Dumbavin pulled off three top class saves to ensure his side progressed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman: \"It is not a shock to me that we won. I always think we will. \"If you put us up against Manchester United tomorrow, I would have a game plan to beat them. \"I hope it encourages the players to relax - Why be scared of anyone in our division now? And I think we can play better than that too.\" Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood: \"Congratulations to Accrington. They have claimed our scalp. \"I ask myself if it was a setback or a catastrophe. I have to say it was a setback because we just did not perform well enough. \"We are doing well in the league but there is always something that comes up and bites you on the backside.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Williams, Welch, Richardson, Todd, Craney, Harris (Edwards 70), Roberts (N'da 90), Mullin, Boco. Subs Not Used: Mangan, Doherty, Byrom. Goals: Mullin 61. Nottm Forest: Smith, Morgan (Southall 71), Cullip, Breckin, Curtis, Clingan (Grant Holt 65), Thompson, Gary Holt, Padula, Weir-Daley (Lester 71), Harris. Subs Not Used: Perch, Pedersen. Booked: Cullip, Southall. Att: 2,146 Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Stanley step up to the big time
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman believes his side's latest brush with the big time will help his team adjust to life back in the Football League. Stanley's promotion as Conference champions earned them a first entry into the Carling Cup and they announced their arrival in style by beating four-time League Cup winners Nottingham Forest. The win extended a remarkable run of success in televised matches, but also promises to give some impetus to a campaign that started with just one win in the opening four games following on from the euphoria of last season. Coleman told Sir Stanley: \"It will help the lads' confidence. We have not had the best of starts results-wise, although it's not been as bad as some people have been suggesting. \"We are moving in the right direction and against Forest I was delighted with the work-rate and enthusiasm. We have to carry that on in the league and if we do we should have no problems.\" He added: \"Everyone thinks we should be doing a Carlisle, but when you look at it, Carlisle didn't have the best of starts last season. \"We have been used to winning a lot of games and people have been looking for reasons why we have not been winning. \"I was disappointed we did not score in our first two games, but football is very much a confidence game and I think we are starting to find our feet. \"A first clean sheet was a big boost, this is the first little run we've had and we need to build on that. The more points you can get at this stage takes the pressure off later on. \"We keep making steps forward and that was another step in the master-plan to go as high as we can. \"There were a lot of bad times at Accrington prior to the last few years and I would like to think there will be more good times to come.\" Against Forest, Accrington started with nine of last season's title-winning side, with a tenth - goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin - finishing last season with the Conference's bottom club Scarborough. Coleman plans to add two new faces to his squad ahead of the transfer deadline, with a new striker at the top of his shopping list. But he has faith in his existing players to handle life in League Two following a whistle-stop tour of matches in the opening weeks of his own League managerial career. \"With all due respect to the Conference, this is a lot higher profile and it's been a lot more hectic, with the media attention and the opportunity to watch more games,\" Coleman said. \"The Conference was a bit restricting in that we all played at the same time. \"A lot of teams in this league are playing on different days, which has given me the chance to go and watch and it really helps you get the feel for how other teams play. \"I have taken in a lot of games in our league and I know we can cope. We have got the ability in our squad to hold our own. \"And I still think there is better to come from some of them. We have not really seen the best of our flair players and when we do, I think people will be surprised.\" Coleman's scouting missions have confirmed his impression that teams are more physical and more ruthless than at Conference level. He is striving to add that edge to his team and after the glory of beating double European champions Forest has the job of focusing minds on taking three points off Rochdale on Saturday. \"Those kind of cup games take care of themselves,\" Coleman added. \"It's the league games where you have to knuckle down and grind out results that give a truer reflection of how you are progressing. \"In some respects we will have to be better. Forest might have approached the game in a different way, while Rochdale will approach it the only way they know.\"

Accrington 1-1 Rochdale
Rochdale's first league goal of the season after almost six hours without finding the net gave them a share of the points against Accrington. Chris Dagnall slotted home Lee Crooks' left-wing free-kick in the 20th minute. But Gary Roberts fired home a penalty with 14 minutes remaining to ensure honours ended even between the Lancashire derby rivals. Roberts took the penalty with his left foot and sent keeper Matt Gilks the wrong way for the equaliser. Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Williams, Welch, Richardson, Todd (Doherty 67), Craney, Harris (Mangan 45), Roberts, Mullin, Boco. Subs Not Used: Edwards, N'da, Proctor. Booked: Welch. Goals: Roberts 76 pen. Rochdale: Gilks, Ramsden, Jackson, Stanton, Goodall, Clarke (Christie 67), Crooks, Doolan, Cooksey, Dagnall, Lambert (Moyo-Modise 87). Subs Not Used: Sako, Rundle, Boardman. Booked: Doolan, Stanton. Goals: Dagnall 20. Att: 3,045 Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Lincoln 3-1 Accrington Stanley
Accrington had two men sent off in their defeat by Lincoln. The Imps took the lead when Martin Gritton fired in Jamie Forrester's cross and Mark Stallard made it 2-0 when he scored at the second attempt. Forrester set up Stallard to make it 3-0 before Stanley's Michael Welch was sent off for a second yellow card. Gary Roberts hit a late consolation for Stanley from a corner but they suffered another blow when Peter Cavanagh was sent off for a second booking. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lincoln City: Marriott, Beevers, Moses, Morgan, Mayo, Frecklington, Kerr, Eaden, Forrester, Stallard (Ryan 90), Gritton. Subs Not Used: Rayner, Semple, Cryan, Sherlock. Booked: Gritton. Goals: Gritton 6, Stallard 40, 69. Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Williams, Welch, Richardson, Todd, Craney (N'da 81), Harris (Mangan 45), Proctor, Roberts, Mullin. Subs Not Used: Dubourdeau, Doherty, Edwards. Sent Off: Welch (72), Cavanagh (90). Booked: Cavanagh, Welch, Mangan. Goals: Roberts 82. Att: 4,999 Ref: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Notts County 3-2 Accrington
Notts County held off a late fightback from Accrington to secure all three points at Meadow Lane. The Magpies began superbly, Dan Martin setting up Mike Edwards to fire home before Martin doubled the lead in amazing style direct from a corner. Martin then struck a 25-yard free-kick after a foul on Junior Mendes. But Accrington fought back at the end with a Gary Roberts penalty after Mike Edwards fouled Andy Mangan before Paul Mullin tapped in, but it was too late. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notts County: Pilkington, Gleeson, Edwards, Hunt, McCann, Pipe, Martin, Ross (Silk 67), Parkinson (Needham 85), Mendes (N'Toya 67), Lee. Subs Not Used: Deeney, Dudfield. Goals: Edwards 11, Martin 29, 36. Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Ventre (Doherty 45), Williams (N'da 45), Edwards, Richardson, Todd, Craney, Proctor, Roberts, Mullin, Boco (Mangan 67). Subs Not Used: Dubourdeau, Brown. Booked: Dunbavin, Ventre. Goals: Roberts 90 pen, Mullin 90. Att: 4,677. Ref: F Graham (Essex).

Accrington v Wrexham
Accrington boss John Coleman has Peter Cavanagh and Michael Welch available for the home encounter with Wrexham. There are no new injury worries, with Rob Elliot (ankle) and midfielder Andrew Tretton (knee) still out. Wrexham's teenage striker Marc Williams could replace injured skipper Neil Roberts who sustained ankle ligament damage against leaders Swindon. Chris Llewellyn and Jon Newby are also vying for a starting role, while Lee McEvilly remains sidelined.

Accrington 5-0 Wrexham
Accrington Stanley ran riot at the Fraser Eagle Stadium to hand visiting Wrexham their first loss of the season. The rout started in the 41st minute when Paul Mullin stabbed home a rebound from Sean Doherty's 15-yard strike. After half-time an Ian Craney corner curled directly into the Wrexham net, before Gary Roberts siezed on a Shaun Pejic mistake to make it 3-0. Captain Peter Cavanagh scored with a 20-yard free-kick, before Roberts broke through to slot in a cool finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Cavanagh, Williams, Edwards, Richardson, Doherty (Mangan 78), Craney, Proctor, Todd (Boco 76), Roberts, Mullin (Brown 79). Subs Not Used: Dubourdeau, N'da. Booked: Cavanagh. Goals: Mullin 41, Craney 49, Roberts 52, Cavanagh 55, Roberts 67. Wrexham: Ingham, Spender (Mike Williams 59), Pejic, Steve Evans, Valentine, Mark Jones, Danny Williams, Ferguson, Done (Johnson 45), Newby (Marc Williams 59), Llewellyn. Subs Not Used: Crowell, Michael Jones. Booked: Valentine, Llewellyn. Att: 2,689 Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).

Stanley snap up ex-Coventry man
Accrington Stanley have signed former Coventry City defender Rikki Bains. He has joined the League Two outfit on a contract running until Christmas after being released by the Sky Blues in the summer. Bains secured a deal after making a number of appearances for Accrington's reserves this season. He adds to manager John Coleman?s defensive options with Andy Tretton facing a continued spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.

Accrington v Boston
Accrington are likely to be unchanged after the 5-0 win against Wrexham. On-loan goalkeeper Rob Elliot (ankle) has still not returned from a spell of treatment at Charlton, so Ian Dunbavin will continue in goal. Boston have a lengthy injury list, with Simon Rusk, Brad Maylett, Mark Greaves, Lee Canoville and Chris Holland all remaining on the sidelines. Paul Tait should be fit enough for at least a place on the bench, but Boston may have only 14 players available

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