JOHN Coleman’s Accrington Stanley march on into the Second Round of the Carling Cup after disposing of npower Championship side Doncaster Rovers.
Coleman made three changes to the side that started the League Two campaign on Saturday afternoon with a goalless draw at home to Aldershot Town.
Goalkeeper Alex Cisak made his debut between the sticks after joining on a free transfer from Leicester City in the summer, replacing Ian Dunbavin, who dropped to the bench.
Striker Craig Lindfield was deemed fit enough to play, after sitting on the sidelines at the weekend as he nursed a knock that was picked up in a Pre-Season friendly. The former Liverpool frontman replaced Rory Boulding, who missed the game after limping off on Saturday afternoon with an injury.
There was also a change in midfield as Luke Joyce was drafted in to replace Charlie Barnett, who also picked up a slight niggle at the weekend and wasn’t fit enough to be risked after an assessment from the physio.
Stanley travelled to Yorkshire as massive underdogs against a Championship side that are often dubbed the Arsenal of their league, for their slick passing movements and the way that they keep the ball on the floor and actually play football.
It was never going to be an easy task, but Coleman believed that Stanley could come away from the game with a win should they play their game correctly, on a playing surface that suits their style to a tee.
The hosts should have taken the lead inside two minutes at The Keepmoat Stadium, but former Bristol City man Steve Brooker fired his effort narrowly over Cisak’s crossbar after a touch of acrobatics inside the Stanley area.
Cisak wasn’t allowed to rest in the early proceedings and was tested as Dean Shiels unleashed a thunderous effort after collecting the ball on the edge of the Reds’ area. But the Australian Under 20 international shot stopper was equal to the effort and showed why so many teams were chasing the youngsters signature in the summer.
Back to Brooker, but still no goal for Rovers. This time the big frontman headed wide from close range and really should have done better as the home side struggled to get the goal that they really deserved.
However, they did gain the lead two minutes after the restart in the second half, as Josh Payne put the ball in the back of the net.
Payne linked well with Waide Fairhurst, playing a neat pass and move with the winger, before latching onto a pass and sliding the ball home from the edge of the Stanley penalty area.
The game started to even out after the goal as Stanley took the game down a notch and played the football that has won them plaudits. But it was a goal against the run of play which levelled for Stanley.
Substitute Chris Turner was the man of the moment as he hit a superb effort past Rovers veteran Neil Sullivan with just seven minutes of normal time remaining. The youngster’s goal came out of nothing as the Burnley born winger netted from 12-yards.
Another 30minutes and a possible penalty shoot out awaited, and upstepped Craig Lindfield to make sure it was Stanley who had their name in the hat for the Second Round draw.
The former Liverpool and Macclesfield frontman smashed home a close-range effort just three minutes into the extra time period, leaving the East Lancashire side to hold on for the remaining 27minutes.
Stanley: Alex Cisak; Jon Bateson, Phil Edwards, Sean Hessey, Dean Winnard; Luke Joyce, Andy Procter; Sean McConville, Jimmy Ryan, Ray Putterill; Craig Lindfield. Subs: Ian Dunbavin, Zak Riley, Peter Murphy, Chris Turner, Andy Parkinson.
Doncaster: Neil Sullivan, Mustapha Dumbuya, James O’Connor, Adam Lockwood, George Friend, Robbie Clark, Sam Hird, Josh Payne, Waide Fairhurst, Steve Brooker, Dean Shiels. Subs: Gary Woods, Shelton Martis, Brett Lucas, Aaron Jones, Robbie Oldham, Bradley Grayson, James Hayter.
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