SORRY Stanley threw away a golden opportunity to reach the first-round proper of the FA Cup as they crashed to their first defeat of the season.

With Jewson Eastern Counties League minnows Wisbech and a potential cash prize of £20,000 waiting in the final qualifying round, whoever won last night's replay knew they would start as favourites to earn a possible crack at Nationwide League opposition.

So Stanley manager John Coleman's reaction was understandable as he saw his side fight back from 2-0 down but still lose out to their UniBond League Premier Division rivals, who have now gone further than ever before in the competition.

"It was sickening to go out like that," said Coleman. "I wanted a good run for our fans and the way we went out was disappointing.

"We won't get a better chance to reach the first round because, with all due respect to Wisbech, they are in a league below us."

Accrington's resilience has been beyond question so far this season as they have stolen a march in the promotion race in the UniBond Premier League.

But Coleman was disappointed with the defending for two of Harrogate's goals, while the Reds offered no real potency in attack.

Even so, two goals in four second-half minutes from Jonathan Smith and Steve Halford looked to have got Stanley out of jail.

With the scores back level there looked to be only one winner, but Coleman's men failed to push home their advantage and Town booked their passage through when central defender Michael McNaughton headed home Nick Richardson's superb cross on the hour.

"We got back into it at 2-2 and we were on top and camped in their half," Coleman added.

"We were the better side for 90 minutes but if you give away two sloppy goals you're going to have trouble beating anybody.

"But we can't dwell on it for long and it's important that we bounce back on Saturday against Worksop."

"Stanley, without Mark Sertori and Barry Shuttleworth, went behind five minutes before the break to a sweet Scott Bonsall strike and then found themselves two adrift on the stroke of half-time.

Coleman was furious that Dean Calcutt was penalised when seeming to win the ball and from the resultant free kick McNaughton scrambled home his first of the night. Tony Black came on at half-time and helped liven Stanley up and within five minutes Smith made it 2-1 when converting a Paul Mullin cross at the near post.

When Halford headed in a Mike Marsh free-kick shortly after Harrogate were rocking. But McNaughton got their noses back in front and despite some late pressure, a weak finish from Mullin and a rasping Marsh drive which was held by Ashley Connor were the closest the Reds came to keeping their cup dream alive.

HARROGATE TOWN...3 ACCRINGTON STANLEY...2