ACCRINGTON Stanley preserved an 11 year unbeaten record against Mansfield Town with a thrill a minute 4-4 draw at the One Call Stadium.

The previously goal shy Reds were never behind in the game but were forced to settle for a point against the promotion chasing Stags.

John Coleman’s side made an immediate impression with a goal after just five minutes.

Sean McConville provided the ammunition, swinging in a free kick from the right which the home defence was unable to deal with and Omar Beckles had time to set himself and stab in his second goal of the season with his left foot from 10 yards.

The home crowd were immediately disgruntled, with former Red Joel Byrom crossing for Ben Whiteman to head into the arms of Marek Rodak as they looked to level.

Instead Stanley should have doubled their lead, with a McConville corner bamboozling Jake Kean and dropping to Matty Pearson only for the right back to guide it over the bar from six yards.

The second goal did come though, with the Stags defence again failing to deal with a ball into the box. This time it was allowed to bounce and Shay McCartan reacted quickest to arrow the ball into the bottom right corner and make it 2-0.

This time though the response was immediate. Mansfield won a corner which was delivered from the right and amid a skirmish in the box defender Rhys Bennett was credited with getting the touch that took the ball over the line despite Rodak coming away with the ball.

It was muck and nettles stuff thereafter, with tackles flying in and ref Mark Heywood showing a string of yellow cards. Billy Kee then brought a moment of quality out of keeping with all the srambling; he outmuscled Bennett and hooked the ball on the volley beyond Kean into the left side of the net from the edge of the box.

But once again a two goal deficit would be shortlived after Hayden White rose highest to head home and make it 3-2 in first half stoppage time. And there was still time in a frenetic first half for Rodak to save superbly from Alex MacDonald, turning his 20 yard drive round the post.

Things didn’t calm down after the break, with a looping header from Pearson clattering back off the bar. Kee then met a Pearson cross at the near post only for a defender to deflect it behind.

The equaliser came from the penalty spot after Seamus Conneely fouled Krystian Pearce. Shaq Coulthirst stepped up and send Rodak the wrong way to make it 3-3.

Anything Mansfield could do Stanley could do too though, and when Kee was bundled over in the Stags box Mr Heywood signalled for a Stanley spot kick. Kee made no mistake, dispatching his 11th of the season to make it 4-3 to the Reds.

Once again there was scarcely time to breath as Mansfield sub CJ Hamilton hit the post as they looked to hit back once more - before Kee did likewise at the other end.

But it was the hosts who struck next with sub Yoann Arquin lifting a spectacular strike over Rodak from outside the box in the 89th minute. Surprisingly seven minutes of stoppage time couldn’t prompt a winner with both breathless sides having to settle for a point.

n Stanley: Rodak, Pearson, Beckles, Hughes, Donacien, Clark, Conneely, Brown, McConville, McCartan, Kee.