IT might not have been pretty but it was effective from Accrington Stanley as they beat Colchester United 1-0 to reach the second round of the FA Cup.
The Reds didn’t hit top gear but did enough to see off their League Two visitors courtesy of Dan Barlaser’s deflected effort 11 minutes before the break.
It means John Coleman’s side take their place in Monday night’s round two draw and keep alive hopes of a potential date with a Premier League heavyweight later in the competition.
In truth, this Wham Stadium contest was a scrappy affair and was fittingly settled by a deflected effort when Barlaser’s 20 yard drive dropped into the far corner.
Colchester dominated the opening quarter but failed to really threaten the Reds after falling behind and Stanley were able to see the game out relatively comfortably.
Coleman was forced into a couple of changes with Offrande Zanzala fit enough only for the bench while Nick Anderton was not given permission by Blackpool to feature. Luke Charman and Ben Richards-Everton came in while Sean McConville was recalled from suspension in place of Piero Mingoia.
It was the visitors, flying high in League Two, who made the better start despite losing defender Tom Eastman in the second minute and then goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin to injury.
Harry Pell’s deflected effort was turned away by Ripley before the Stanley keeper gathered Sammie Szmodics’ effort at the second attempt.
The Reds No.1 was called into action again shortly after when, after he misplaced a clearance, he saved well from the dangerous Szmodics.
Colchester had made all the early running and should have been in front on 15 minutes when Frank Nouble raced through a gaping hole in the Reds defence but was thwarted by a fine Ripley save.
The hosts had been the architects of their own downfall in the opening stages, conceding possession cheaply and struggling to find their rhythm.
It wasn’t until midway through the first half that Stanley created a chance but it was a good one. Billy Kee peeled off his man in the box and met a tantalising Sean McConville cross but his header dropped over the bar.
The Reds did find the breakthrough 11 minutes before the break. Barlaser collected possession on the edge of the box and appeared to have lost the opportunity as he weighed up his options but the Newcastle loanee got a shot away and it deflected into the far corner.
It meant John Coleman’s men had a one goal lead at the break and they nearly added to it early in the second half when some neat football led to Kee finding Jordan Clark but the winger’s fierce drive was kept out by Barnes at his near post.
The second half was light on chances with both teams working hard but coming up short in the final third.
It was the home side who had the clearer sights of goal with Billy Kee seeing a shot well saved by Barnes before McConville clipped over.
The Reds carried more of the threat as the contest entered the final stages with Barnes keeping out a towering Ben Richards-Everton header before Clark saw an effort from inside the box blocked.
Colchester rarely threatened a leveller despite a late corner which saw goalkeeper Dillon Barnes thrown forward into the penalty area and the Reds secured a safe passage into round two.
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