FROM Woking to Whalley: Ten years ago today Paul Mullin scored one of the most important goals of Accrington Stanley’s recent history – and he ended the night out in East Lancashire celebrating a place in the Football League.

Mullin was the hero on April 15, 2006 when he netted the only goal of the game to earn the Reds a 1-0 win at Woking and a place in League Two.

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And a decade on the frontman, who now works as a financial advisor in Great Harwood, tells the Lancashire Telegraph about the goal that changed everything.

“No one was really talking about us that season,” said Mullin. “We had a great side and we scored a lot of goals. Some of the lads in that team were absolutely barmy but it helped for the spirit of the group.

“I don’t actually look back at that Woking game when I think of that season.

“It’s actually some of the other games I remember, we played quite a few games on TV against the likes of Morecambe and Grays, who were a good side at the time. They were really challenging us and throwing money about.

“I think I scored in quite a few of the TV games and it is those I remember more so than the Woking one.

“I remember us playing well at York and I think that was the moment when we thought we might do it.”

That isn’t to say the Woking victory doesn’t stick in Mullin’s memory. Not only did he score the winner he also gave away a penalty. Fortunately for Mullin, Stanley stopper Rob Elliot twice saved the spot kick after the referee ordered a re-take.

“That game at Woking just summed us up. We were getting results and battling to get wins,” Mullin added.

“I think it was Mark Boyd who hit a daisy-cutter and I just managed to turn it in.

“When I scored I wasn’t really sure what to do or how to celebrate.

“I remember giving away the penalty and thinking what have I done?!

“What is the gaffer going to say!

“But fortunately Rob Elliot saved it and we managed to get the win.

“When the game finished at Woking you didn’t know what to do with yourself. We had brought quite a lot of fans down and so we were able to celebrate with them. There were people all over the place.

“The trip back was good, all the lads were singing on the coach and it was a good group. It was a good day and a good celebration.

“It was a great day and I remember ending up out in Whalley afterwards once we had got back celebrating.

“It was a strong team that season with some really good players in there. We all wanted to play in the Football League and if you look at that side you can see that a lot of the players had good careers in the league.”

Stanley could mark the 10-year anniversary since that famous day in Surrey with another promotion this season.

Heading into tomorrow’s League Two clash with Morecambe the Reds occupy the third and final automatic promotion place and Mullin is backing Stanley boss John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell – in charge a decade ago – to repeat the feat.

“I hope they are able to do it this season and I fancy them,” said Mullin.

“When you get to this stage of the season it is all about results and I just think Accrington will get them.

“It will be great for John and Jimmy and great for the town as well. I don’t go back as much as I would like but I still look out for the results. It would be a fantastic achievement if they could do it.”