ACCRINGTON Stanley looked a million dollars in their cup tie with Yeovil – but couldn’t get the FA Cup win their performance deserved and bank a much needed £27,000 for their efforts.

The Reds outclassed League One opposition for long spells at the Store First Stadium and made more than enough chances only to show an inability to kill off their opponents.

MORE TOP STORIES:

From the off in the second round tie the Reds were on the front foot, with wide players Kal Naismith and Piero Mingoia causing Gary Johnson’s struggling side real problems.

John Coleman’s team should have been in front as early as the 12th minute when Shay McCartan threaded Matt Crooks in one on one but the Huddersfield loanee failed to even test goalkeeper Jed Steer, dragging his shot well-wide of the target.

At the other end chances were few and far between, with Ajay Leitch Smith seeing a strike deflected wide, so it was a shock to everyone when the Glovers took the lead. There was half an hour gone when Sam Foley delivered a left-wing free kick and Nathan Clarke evaded the Stanley defence to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

The home fans were stunned but could have seen their side level within two minutes when Procter’s strike was tipped over at full stretch by Steer.

Stanley’s early shine had worn off though and they laboured to half time a goal down.

The same can’t be said of the second period, which began with The Reds forced their visitors back for long spells in the second half. A Mingoia cross had to be hacked out of the six-yard box before referee Seb Stockbridge turned down appeals for handball in the area and Crooks drove a shot straight at Steer.

Mr Stockbridge was not making himself popular with the home supporters. Minutes later, Mingoia crossed again from the right and the referee waved away more penalty appeals for a blatant push on Naismith by Ben Nugent inside the six yard box.

Amidst a growing sense that this might not be their day Stanley poured forward and were rewarded with an equaliser. Yeovil cleared a Reds set piece to half way where Michael Liddle collected and found Dean Winnard. He delivered into the box and Rob Atkinson, who showed great control to pick out Tom Aldred. The centre back was without a goal this season but showed superb feet to evade a challenge and pick out the bottom left corner of the net. 1-1.

At the other end Aldred was the centre of attention again as he charged down another Leitch Smith effort, which the visitors felt he handled but largely Stanley were on the front foot.

Just five minutes remained when Coleman’s men had the chance to put themselves into round three. Great work from Luke Joyce saw him progress into the box and cross for McCartan, whose header beat Steer and clattered back off the post.

Moments later the Northern Irishman wriggled free of a defender and latched onto a through ball but could only poke his low shot straight at a relieved Steer.

That Stanley deserved at least a replay wasn’t in doubt but they were thankful to Jack Rose for making sure that was the case. In the 93rd minute Joe Edwards crossed into the home area and Stephen Arthurworrey was unmarked, but the Stanley ‘keeper turned his header over the bar.

A trip to Somerset a week on Tuesday is Stanley’s reward. must feel like a consolation prize to Stanley but they remain in contention for the third round and all the riches it promises