Accrington Stanley 1-0 Bristol Rovers: Match Report

Sean McConville on target as Accrington see off Bristol RoversSean McConville scored the winning goal as Accrington overcame their promotion rivals Bristol Rovers 1-0.The winger cut inside in the 69th minute to fire home into the bottom corner of the net as the Reds moved up to fifth place in the league - just two points behind the Pirates with four games in hand.It was a first half of few chances with in-form Shay McCartan having an 11th-minute opportunity for Stanley but he headed inches wide while the unmarked Rory Gaffney did the same at the other end.The best chance of the half fell to Stanley left-back Adam Buxton who tested goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall with a fierce 20-yard strike on 40 minutes, which the shot-stopper did well to push out.Both sides were livelier after the break, with a couple of goalmouth scrambles which just needed a touch.Stanley began to get on top and Mildenhall denied McConville from point-blank range after the winger had got on the end of Buxton's free-kick on 62 minutes.But he could do nothing to stop the goal and, despite a triple substitution from Rovers boss Darrell Clarke on 76 minutes, it was Stanley who continued to press.Matt Crooks missed a gilt-edged chance to put the game out of reach when he ballooned over an open goal from four yards out.

Source: PA