A DECADE after Accrington Stanley’s first Football League win against Barnet, the Bees failed to read the reunion script as they sent the Reds home from the Hive empty handed.

John Coleman’s team headed south almost a decade to the day since Rommy Boco netted the club’s first League goal in 44 years. But even with the Benin international back in their ranks there was no anniversary celebration as they were beaten 2-0.

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John Akinde and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro scored the goals to inflict Stanley’s first defeat of the new campaign.

Coleman made three changes from the team that had prevailed in an epic midweek penalty shootout win over Bradford City but soon had to make another alteration when striker Terry Gornell limped off to join fellow forwards Billy Kee and Shay McCartan on the treatment table.

John O’Sullivan fizzed a shot over as Stanley dominated the early possession but it was Barnet, a side renowned for their direct style, who made the better chances.

Defender Michael Nelson was denied when his header from a Ryan Watson corner was pushed out before Alex Nicholls volleyed wide from another.

Stanley’s Steven Hewitt was unable to mark his first start with a goal at the other end of the field, driving the ball over from O’Sullivan’s cutback.

The visitors found their defence unlocked in the 33rd minute.

A ball down the left channel caught the centre backs sleeping and Akinde latched on to it, raced through one on one and poked a shot beyond Aaron Chapman into the corner of the net to make it 1-0. It might have been worse too, with Akinde crossing from the left for Nicholls — only for the latter to take a heavy touch and allow Matty Pearson to clear.

Hewitt tried to level things with a spectacular 40-yarder that was well over and O’Sullivan hit a shot straight at Bees’ keeper Josh Vickers but Stanley trailed at the interval.

The pattern continued after the break, with the Reds neat and tidy and good on the ball but not posing enough of a threat.

Sean McConville forced a first meaningful save from Vickers when his effort from outside the box bounced awkwardly and the keeper had to paddle it clear. Immediately afterwards O’Sullivan’s appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

An injury to Barnet striker Michael Gash brought Akpa Akpro into the fray — and just three minutes after coming on he scored the second.

A poor clearance went straight to the striker who advanced on goal and dispatched a firm strike past Chapman from distance.

Now Stanley had to try to create chances but it was proving tricky with only makeshift striker Boco to aim at. O’Sullivan was off target again before Boco headed a McConville free-kick over and Omar Beckles failed to trouble Vickers with another header.

Sub Jordan Clark provided some life to the attack, beating three defenders before smashing a shot over.

But it took until seven minutes of added time for Accrington to provide any serious threats to goal.

Chris Eagles poked a shot at Vickers after a jinking run before the goalkeeper did superbly to turn McConville’s curler round a post.