FULL TIME: Southend United 0 Accrington Stanley 1 (From This Is Lancashire)

FULL TIME: Southend United 0 Accrington Stanley 1

5:59pm Saturday 18th August 2012 in Sport

ON-LOAN Reading striker Karl Sheppard netted the only goal as Accrington Stanley started their League Two campaign with an impressive victory at Southend United this afternoon.

Southend finished last season in fourth position but Sheppard struck his first goal since joining Stanley in the 61st minute, looping a header into the net from Luke Joyce's pass.

The home side had a goal ruled out just before half time as Luke Prosser was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Ian Dunbavin made a fine save to keep out a header from Mark Phillips as Southend searched for an equaliser late on, with Craig Lindfield also clearing a Gavin Tomlin effort off the line.

Stanley: Ian Dunbavin, Craig Lindfield, Toto Nsiala, Peter Murphy, Michael Liddle, Luke Joyce, George Miller, Will Hatfield, Luke Clark (Charlie Barnett 53), Aidan Chippendale (Dean Winnard 50), Karl Sheppard (Padraig Amond 77). Subs not used: Andrew Dawber, Leam Richardson, Adam Dawson, James Gray.