Accrington Stanley 2 Leigh RMI 0

Last updated : 27 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Accrington Stanley are ready for Huddersfield Town in the first round of the FA Cup after disposing of Conference rivals Leigh RMI.

"All I could ask for is that we had a home draw," said manager John Coleman.

"It will be a full house and we want to make sure we put on a good show. We fancy ourselves against anybody at home." The first half against Leigh wasn't the best.

Lutel James should have opened the scoring on two minutes when he broke through unmarked but Leigh keeper Gary Kelly tipped the ball over the net.

James had another chance on the half hour, but fired wide while Steve Halford had a header cleared off the line by Martyn Lancaster on the stroke of half time.

James opened the scoring on 52 minutes. Halford won the ball in the middle of the park and Andy Gouck launched the ball forward as James evaded the offside trap and chipped the ball home.

It was 2-0 on 74 minutes when lively sub Lee Madden broke free, his fierce shot was pushed out by keeper Kelly but it fell to the waiting Paul Mullen to stroke the ball into the empty net.

Leigh had plenty of possession but lacked the final ball into the box.

Their temporary manager Phil Starbuck came on as a sub and tested the Stanley keeper Jon Kennedy.

"It wasn't the best of games, we didn't play well and if we continue to play like this I will have to do something about it.

"They had one or two chances and could have got something, but I am just pleased to be through the first round for the first time as a manager," said Coleman.