FORMER Brighton defender Ben Barclay played for Accrington Stanley in their opening pre-season friendly.

The Reds went down 1-0 at League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers on Monday night with Romeo Parkes scoring the decisive goal for John Coleman's former club.

Barclay, 22, finished last season on loan at Notts County as they were relegated from League Two before being let go by his parent club having featured regularly for their Under-23s.

The former Manchester City youngster had been set to link up with Plymouth for a trial but boss Ryan Lowe revealed he was heading for a League One club.

"We were going to take a look at him, but we weren't in a position to offer him a deal and a League One club has offered him a deal, so he has stayed with them, so fair play," Lowe told Plymouth Live.

"We wish him all the best."

Stanley's squad also included four triallists with around 20 hardy Reds fans part of the crowd of 638 at The Showgrounds. Coleman managed the club in 2014 before his return to the Wham Stadium with Seamus Conneely also a former Sligo player.

Attentions now turning to the marquee friendly against Marseille at Salford's AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday night, with the French giants expected to field a strong side.