SIMON Carden missed a chance to clinch all three points for Stanley in their UniBond Premier League clash against Bishop Auckland.

The midfielder could have give the tenth placed Reds only their second home league victory of the season in the final minute against the Bishops, who lie just one place above them.

Instead Carden's shot from 15 yards - after Lutel James had found him unmarked in the area - ballooned over the crossbar and Stanley had to settle for only their second draw of the league campaign.

It was a fiery clash at the Crown Ground with numerous penalty appeals, a number of bookings and plenty of work for referee Paul Ireland who was talked to by both managers at the end of the game.

The first penalty appeal came in the third minute when the North East side felt Steve Hollis had brought down Kevin Bromley with a tackle from behind in the area but the referee waved away the vociferous appeals.

It was the Bishops who applied the early pressure, Anthony Lee's shot from just outside the area was just wide of Jamie Speare's goal while a stunning free kick from the defender rattled the post with Speare beaten.

But at the other end, Stanley could have made an impression. Steve Flitcroft's corner was met by defender Jonathan Smith and keeper Dave Campbell produced a great save to deny the big man. The ball came out to Paul Burns and it was Stanley's turn to hit the woodwork as Burns' effort hit the crossbar and was cleared.

Speare then pulled off a one-handed save to deny Stephen Hott and their top scorer Carl Chillingworth got past Paul Howarth on the left wing and fired in a shot which almost caught out Speare.

A timely block then denied James having a shot in the six yard box on 38 minutes but he made amends on the stroke of half-time.

A corner from Flitcroft was dummied by Burns, it fell to Carden who lashed in a shot which came to former Bury striker James at the far post and he rifled home his 14th goal of the season.

The second half started at a pace and the Bishops were soon back on level pegging with a wonder goal. A corner eventually came to Hott whose left foot shot from 35 yards scorched the back of the net.

And Bishop Auckland almost went ahead with a Carden own goal. His header from a corner crashed against his own crossbar and Andrew Shaw followed up with an overhead kick which was scrambled away.

It was Stanley's turn to appeal for a spot-kick after a tackle by skipper Mark Salmon on Paul Mullin but nothing was given and Stanley sub Mark Brennan then flicked a shot just wide.

And Steven Bell almost headed a Flitcroft corner into his own goal with Campbell somewhat fortunate to catch the ball.

Peter Cavanagh and Flitcroft made some good runs as they strove for the winner and one such run by former Liverpool trainee Cavanagh almost set up Mullin in the area. He couldn't get a shot in and as the ball bobbled there was a big appeal for handball which again the ref waved away.

Speare then pulled off an amazing save to keep it square, diving to push out a Bromley shot seven minutes from time and then came Carden's last ditch effort with both sides having to accept a point.

RESULT: ACCRINGTON STANLEY...1 BISHOP AUCKLAND...1