JOHN Coleman has been Accrington Stanley manager for each of their six trips to Stevenage and must be increasingly fed up of his side being on the wrong end of games at the Lamex Stadium.

This latest occasion saw the Reds beaten 2-1 to take their record to played six, won none and conceded 16 since the first meeting between the sides at the Hertfordshire ground.

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A disastrous start saw the Reds up against it with debutant goalkeeper Jesse Joronen picking the ball out of the net inside 60 seconds but it must be the other end of the field where very few chances were created that was the main cause for concern for Coleman.

Joronen was one of two changes to the side after joining on loan from Fulham but after the Reds defence gave away a cheap corner straight from the kick off Dean Parrett delivered, the Finn couldn’t collect and Rob Atkinson failed to clear his lines allowing Dean Wells to get to the ball. His effort was diverted home by Chris Whelpdale and Boro had a lead inside a minute.

Moments later Joronen atoned when he acrobatically turned Tom Pett’s strike over the top of his bar to prevent the lead becoming greater.

The poor start proved to be a wake up call for Coleman’s team who began to assert themselves and create chances. The lively John O’Sullivan crossed for Atkinson to head straight at goalkeeper Chris Day before the Irishman played a key part in the leveller.

There were 18 minutes gone when O’Sullivan switched the play from right to left and Lee Molyneux brought the ball under control before letting fly with a shot that seemed to have some help from a deflection as it crept past Day and into the corner for his first goal since his return to the club.

Stanley were now level and the better side but couldn’t capitalise, with Molyneux seeing another strike blocked by a defender before Luke Joyce hit a shot high and wide.

As the second half began it was to be another early goal that proved decisive. The visitors started far better, with Atkinson testing Day with another header, but within three minutes found themselves behind again.

Chris Beardsley brought the ball under control inside a congested Stanley box before laying it off to the dangerous Charlie Lee who produced a wonderful finish to beat Joronen and make it 2-1.

Another response was needed but where they had stormed in the first half Stanley now stuttered; a Molyneux strike high and wide was as good as it got as the pressed for a leveller.

An off colour Stevenage side were now finding their stride and Atkinson was forced to clear a hopeful ball from Charlie Adams off the line before Darius Charles put a free header from Ronnie Henry’s cross wide of the target after a brave block from Tom Aldred.

Coleman made all three of his substitutions as the Reds looked to hit back late on but despite Joronen joining the cavalry charge for a late free kick, Day was barely tested.

As has been the case too often for Coleman’s liking in these surroundings it simply wasn’t enough for his team to take a share of the spoils.