ACCRINGTON Stanley kick-started their bid to bring the good times back to the Crown Ground by winning the Lancashire Marsden Trophy last night.

The Reds, watched by 1330 at Morecambe's Christie Park, defeated UniBond Premier rivals Barrow 2-0.

A goal from 32-goal hitman Paul Mullin opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but then it all seemed to go bleak for the Reds when skipper Peter Cavanagh was dismissed for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time.

But ten-man Stanley kept going and Mullin looped the ball to Simon Carden who touched the ball over the goalline on 63 minutes.

"It is the first time I have won a trophy since my first year at school so it was an important goal," said frontman Mullin.

"I am pleased for the fans who have stuck with us through thick and thin. They deserved the trophy."

"And for boss John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell. They have established a great team spirit in the side and it showed by the way we battled on with ten men."

Coleman admitted: "It is nice to win some silverware. I am pleased for the fans and the players more than anything else. I have had my time as a player but I was delighted for everyone involved with the club.

"The fans never stopped singing and cheering all night and they helped the lads to the victory."