ACCRINGTON Stanley manager James Beattie praised his players after their 2-1 win at Oxford United secured Football League survival.

Kayode Odejayi and James Gray helped Stanley to their first win in their history over Oxford United despite Ryan Williams pulling a goal back for the home side.

Stanley, now up to 17th in the table, ended Oxford’s slim chance of reaching the League Two play-offs with the win.

And Beattie was left to reflect on a strong second half of the season after Stanley went 12 games without a win at the start of the campaign.

Beattie said: “It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone and it’s all about the players and it has been since day one and they have done a great job.

“The recovery is now 100 per cent complete and as I have said all season we believed in ourselves right from the word go even though the start that we had was horrific.

“The moment I walked through the door, we embarked on a journey and I said to the boys they were the reason I’ve taken the job.

“And now I just thank the lads from the bottom of my heart and to have ensured our Football league status for next season is brilliant.”