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GRAVESEND AND NORTHFLEET 2-2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Last updated : 29 December 2004 By Kev Robinson
Gravesend & Northfleet 2 - 2 Accrington Stanley

SMITH: Saw Red
Lee McEvilly was left on the bench by Stanley manager John Coleman after stuttering form in recent weeks as Stanley were on the road attempting to come back form the demorolising 3-0 defeat by Dagenham and Redbridge. Gravesend were looking for their first win in thirteen games when Accrington Stanley visited Stoneybridge Road b ut they couldn't have got off to a worse start when Paul Muillin smashed home a great effort from outside of the Fleet area following a free-kick to the Reds just two minutes into the game to silence the home fans.

Paul Chrichton has come in for some critisism recently but that didn't show as the former Norwich and Burnley stopper saved well from Jay Saunders in the home team's only efforts on goal in the first half as Stanley dominated the game in midfield.

Chrichton's opposite number Jamie Pullen was also having a good game as he prevented Ian Craney from doubling the lead at full stretch with the save of the match on nineteen minutes.

Another great chance fell to former Altrincham midfielder Ian Craney and despite being odds on to score a great intervention at the last minute from Lee Protheroe saved his team from going two behind.

Protheroe went from defence to attack as his corner was scored by Saunders to level the scores. The gaol was totally against the run of play and even most good Gravesend fans will admit that Stanley deserved to be in front still.

Steve Jagielka has recently admitted that he is disappointed not to have hit the net this season and in recent games his frustration at failing to score has shown but his hard work in his first season at ACcrington payed off as he opened his account for the club as he took advantage of a critical error by Gravesend defender Jimmy Jackson.

It would have been massively ironic if Jagielka was to hit two in one game but that was close to happening as deep into injury time he watched in agony as his shot reeled away after striking the post.

The second half was pretty eventless but on eighty minutes Ged Brannan brought down an attacked inside the Stanley area which gave Craig McAllister the chance to score on his home debut- which he did with his penalty making the scores level at 2-2.

It could only get worse for Stanley and five minutes from the end of the match Jonathon Smith, who came on as a substitute for Chris Butler who was forced off the field injured, was shwon a straight red card after elbowing a Gravesend player in the face.

So the final whistle went and Stanley had done what they have done many time before in throwing away a lead. Gravesend will be the happier of the two clubs but still they continue their search for a win.