Live Commentary

Edwards on the spot for Stanley in thriller Two Phil Edwards penalties eventually won Accrington the three points as they came out on the winning side of frantic 7-4 thriller with Gillingham. There were five goals in the first half, the home side taking the lead after 13 minutes when Terry Gornell crossed for Sean McConville to slot, before Gillingham's Mark Bentley then scored two goals in three minutes, flicking home long throw and rifling home a loose ball from 15 yards out. The Gills lead, though, only lasted three minutes when Gornell played in Andy Parkinson and he blasted the ball low into the net for his first Football League goal in three years. Bentley had chances to get a hat-trick before Charlie Barnett played in a cross-shot which found the top of the net two minutes before half-time to give the Reds a 3-2 interval lead. Striker Cody McDonald got the Gills back on level terms after 55 minutes with a superb solo goal when he raced half the length of the pitch and into the area and put a delicate chip over Ian Dunbavin. But the Gills - who have not won on their travels in 17 months - then lost the game when they conceded two penalties in four minutes. After 58 minutes Bentley was judged to have pushed Andy Procter in the area and defender Edwards sent keeper Lance Cronin the wrong way. And on the next attack, Gornell was tripped in the area by Gowling and Edwards was spot-on again. Stanley striker Gornell deserved a goal and he beat the offside trap and casually stroked the ball home for Stanley's sixth after 73 minutes. But the Gills gave themselves a fighting chance when keeper Dunbavin fouled McDonald and Akinfenwa sent the stopper the wrong way from the spot. The game exploded at the end when Stanley's Jimmy Ryan was booked for a late tackle, a melee ensued with Gills scorer Bentley shown a second yellow and red for reacting and Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell was also sent from the dug-out by referee Iain Williamson for getting involved. And in injury time Ryan broke free and raced into the area and blasted the ball home to complete the scoring.