D'Sane did not even make the bench and hopefully TB is urgently looking for another striker – a loanee if need be – to bolster the squad.
In a fairly even first half Stanley had the only clear cut chance which came on the 22nd minute. A shot from McEvilly from outside of the box slipped from Bully’s grasp due to the wet conditions but he then reacted brilliantly to block Mullins on target shot from the rebound.
Up to the break Shots were playing some neat football in the build up but with no cutting edge and the only real effort at goal was hit well wide by McLean after a surging run and cut back from Barnard.
At half time TB brought Crittenden on for Warner and he did liven things up for the Shots but it was Accrington who almost took the lead on 52 minutes when a Jagielka shot flashed across the box and just wide of the far post. However the Shots were now beginning to get on top and on the hour mark Miller put through McLean but although he rounded the keeper he couldn’t keep the ball in play.
Two minutes later the Shots almost took the lead when a Giles cross from the Shots right was met by Challinor who directed his header to the far post where Crittenden’s effort was just kept out by the keepers legs.
On 75 minutes Darren Barnard curled his effort from a free kick just over the bar and shortly after Sills replaced McAuley. Mullin then headed just wide when he should have hit the target and at the other end a fierce Crittenden shot from just outside the area was well held by the young Stanley keeper who is on loan from Wolves.
The Shots best effort of the game came with only minutes remaining when a sweetly struck shot from Adam Miller had the keeper beaten at last but it struck the base of the post and rebounded to safety.
Attendance: 2834.
SHOTS: Bull, Warner (Crittenden 45), Warburton (Antwi 90), Giles, D Barnard, Challinor, McAuley (Sills 77), Miller, Johnson, McLean, Watson.
Subs Not Used: R Barnard, Smith.
Accrington Stanley: Ikeme, Cavanagh, Smith, Flynn, Williams, Jagielka (James 86), Brannan, Craney (Cook 79), McEvilly, Proctor, Mullin.
Subs Not Used: Alcock, Howarth, Tuck.
Match Verdict.
Nice to see another clean sheet – but rather worrying at the opposite end.
6/10 – okay.
Article by Tongham Shots