ACCRINGTON Stanley remain the only club in the top four divisions of English football to have scored in every home game this season.

But the Reds left it late to keep their record going and secure a last-gasp win over promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle.

John Coleman’s side trailed 1-0 to the Pilgrims with just five minutes remaining but went on to win 2-1 thanks to a goal each from Billy Kee and substitute Shay McCartan in a stunning finish to the contest.

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The Stanley manager had asked for a response to the midweek defeat to Portsmouth. And having made four changes to his side, he saw exactly that as his players dominated from the off.

As early as the seventh minute Rommy Boco played in Piero Mingoia and his low shot was parried by keeper Luke McCormick before Kee shot wide and Boco saw a drive charged down by a defender.

But the visitors took the lead. Graham Carey delivered a wonderful cross from the right and top-scorer Jake Jervis met it with a header, the ball looping over Ross Etheridge and into the net.

It was a goal against the run of play — and but for a block from Tom Davies to thwart Reuben Reid, the damage might have been worse. But Stanley soon set about reasserting their dominance.

The visitors survived a penalty appeal when Kelvin Mellor appeared to handle but Sean McConville was offside. Then a terrific Boco cross was scrambled clear and Kee chested the ball down and volleyed it at McCormick.

The half-time score was harsh on the home side but they were not disheartened and began the second period with similar endeavour. Substitute Scott Brown, on for the injured Matt Crooks, threaded in Boco immediately after the restart and his snapshot was held by the keeper.

Better chances were to follow, with the introduction of McCartan proving important. First the Northern Irishman tried to be provider, crossing just beyond Kee for McConville at the far post only for the wideman to poke the ball straight at McCormick. Then McCartan met Mingoia’s delivery with a header that beat the keeper but flew wide.

McCormick was in good form, taking a Kee header before seeing an Adam Buxton free-kick fly over the bar. Etheridge was barely called into action but still his team needed a goal.

It arrived thanks to a helping hand from Mellor — a hand in the back to be precise. Kee found space inside the box but as he went to shoot he was pushed by the full-back. Referee Mark Heywood pointed to the spot and red-carded the defender. Kee fired the spot-kick powerfully into the corner of the net for his 15th goal of the campaign.

The fourth official’s board brought the biggest cheer from the home fans, with the Reds handed five minutes to win the game. They did not waste it, despite McCartan being tackled at the last and Kee being denied by McCormick.

With four minutes of injury-time gone, a good passing move saw Matty Pearson given the chance to cross from the right. The full-back obliged, McCartan meeting the ball with a sensational near-post diving header to beat McCormick.