FULL TIME: Northampton Town 2 Accrington Stanley 0 (From This Is Lancashire)

FULL TIME: Northampton Town 2 Accrington Stanley 0

6:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport

ACCRINGTON Stanley slipped back into the League Two relegation zone after they were beaten at Northampton Town this afternoon.

Chris Hackett put the hosts ahead with a free kick after only seven minutes and Roy O'Donovan then doubled the lead in controversial fashion.

The Irishman charged down a clearance from Paul Rachubka and then outmuscled the goalkeeper in the race for the ball before finding the empty net, with Stanley appealing for a free kick.

The Reds handed a debut to former England international Francis Jeffers as a second half substitute but he was unable to turn around the match.

James Beattie was not involved in the match as Stanley prepare for three home games in the space of eight games, starting against Fleetwood on Tuesday.

They will go into those matches second bottom of League Two after AFC Wimbledon leapfrogged them in the table with victory today.

Ian Dunbavin was named on the bench for Stanley at Sixfields as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term shoulder injury, standing in for the injured Andrew Dawber.

Stanley: Paul Rachubka, Nicky Hunt, Dean Winnard, Tom Aldred, Laurence Wilson, Craig Lindfield (Francis Jeffers 68), Peter Murphy, Amine Linganzi, Lee Molyneux, Rommy Boco (Will Hatfield 86), James Gray (Marcus Carver 80). Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Luke Joyce, Goerge Miller, Charlie Barnett.