A BRILLIANT Simon Carden hat trick helped to secure a remarkable victory for the Reds against Burscough at the Crown Ground last night and increase their lead at the top of the UniBond Premier Division.

With potential new signing Kevin Ball one of almost 1500 spectators, the home side went 2-0 down early in the second half against a side that had conceded just two goal all season in the league.

But a stunning striker from wide man Dean Calcutt just after the hour sparked an incredible turnaround as Carden went goal crazy to increase Stanley's lead at the top of the table to five points from Worksop Town in second place.

Delighted boss John Coleman admitted: "I was laughing at Simon because he has been going through a bit of a drought but he is the type of player that when he gets on a roll can get number of goals.

"I thought we were unlucky to go 2-0 down because apart from the goals I thought we defended well. The first goal was a soft one from our point of view but the lad scored a really good second.

"Even then I knew we were capable of scoring goals and one thing this team has got is a lot of character."

They had to show plenty of that once the dangerous Peter Wright had struck twice after a hard fought but goalless first half.

Stanley had dominated the opening period, creating a number of chances and forcing several good saves from Matthew Taylor in the visitor's goal, so it was a shock to trail.

The opener in the 48th minute saw Wright out muscle Barry Shuttleworth as he chased a though ball before firing low past Jamie Speare.

If that was a bad goal to concede, his second a couple of minutes later was a beauty, cutting in from the left and smashing a right foot shot into the far corner beyond a helpless Speare.

The Linnets must have thought that was it given the strength of their defence, marshalled by player manager Shaun Teale.

But Stanley are not unbeaten this season for no reason and within 12 minutes they were level, Calcutt striking first with a well worked goal.

He picked the ball up on the right edge of the area from a Mike Marsh free kick, shaped to cross but instead jinked past two defenders before rifling an unstoppable shot beyond the keeper.

From then on it was the Carden show as he found his scoring boots big style.

Strike one- he raced into the area and collected debutant Tony Black's flick before ramming the ball home.

Strike two - collecting a corner on the far edge of the area he smashed a shot to rival the efforts of Wright and Calcutt as it arrowed through a crowded area into the top corner.

Strike three - deep into stoppage time he earned the match ball with a simple tap in after some excellent approach play by the tireless Lutel James.

It was a thrilling end to a night of drama. The passion and pace of the game was akin to cup semi-final and it was no great surprise when there was a brief free for all near the end that saw Stanley's Mark Sertori and Burscough's Carl McAuley receive yellow cards, the latter lucky it was not red after going in with both fists flying.

But for the vast majority of the 1,488 fans it was all part of the excitement as the Reds' remarkable start to the season continued.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 4 BURSCOUGH 2