JOHN Coleman's side know just what the phrase bleak midwinter really means after their winless run was extended to nine games by the heaviest defeat they have suffered since returning to the Football League.

Stanley, who finished the game with 10 men after Andrew Mangan's second-half dismissal, were again left to count the cost of some weak defending and were 3-0 down inside 25 minutes.

When Stuart Nicholson netted the home side's fourth near the end, it was the 13th goal the Reds' have conceded in the last four games - but it's down to more than bad luck.

The visitors may have been without 12 first-teamers and named a trio of 17-year-olds on the bench, but strengthening in January's transfer window looks a necessity if Accrington are to avoid a relegation dogfight.

They had an early escape when Byron Anthony's second-minute header found the net, but was ruled out by an offside flag, though there was no let off four minutes later when Richard Walker was left unmarked eight yards from goal.

The Pirates' leading scorer had a simple task nodding home.

It was 14 minutes before Accrington launched their first serious attack, Sean Whalley producing a fine cut-back after a good run down the right. But Paul Mullin got in a tangle at the near post and put the ball the wrong side of the upright.

The home side increased their lead after 21 minutes when Phil Edwards was penalised for handling as he mistimed an attempted low header. Steve Elliott drove in the 25-yard free kick, which took a deflection off Stanley's defensive wall as it flew past keeper Rob Elliot.

Things went from bad to worse for Stanley as they conceded the third goal from a 24th-minute penalty. Edwards was judged to have fouled Nicholson as the youngster tried to wriggle past him and was duly booked, before Walker sent Elliot the wrong way with his spot-kick to the keeper's left.

Stanley found openings few and far between, Joe Jacobson wasting a promising free-kick just before the break when he hoisted his delivery high over the top.

A long-range free kick from Mangan was smothered by Steve Phillips early in the second half, but Accrington's cause was further hampered after 57 minutes when the Stanley striker was needlessly dismissed.

First, Mangan was cautioned after Phillips' attempt to take a quick free-kick struck him, referee Paul Melin believing he had blocked the clearance. But he then received a straight red after aiming a volley of abuse at the Bristol keeper.

The second period was a more subdued affair, but the home side had further chances with Craig Disley shooting over and Walker spurning a hat-trick opportunity before Nicholson completed a comfortable victory with two minutes left.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Phillips; R Green, Anthony, Elliott, Carruthers; Igoe (Lines, 73), Campbell, Disley (Lescott, 86), Sandell; Walker (Lambert, 77), Nicholson. Subs (not used): Hinton, M Green.

Accrington (4-4-2): Elliott; Todd, Williams, Edwards, Richardson; Whalley, Harris, Proctor, Jacobson; Mangan, Mullin. Subs (not used): Bains, Dunbavin, Smith, Bell, Murphy.

Attendance: 5,205.