STANLEY'S season got off to a disappointing start as a late penalty gave Southend victory at the Store First Stadium on Saturday.

New keeper Luke Simpson marked his Football League debut by saving a 47th-minute spot-kick by Barry Corr.

But Southend won another penalty five minutes from time, which Corr's replacement Lee Barnard converted to condemn the Reds to a losing start in League 2.

Simpson had a great game in goal and was called into action as early as the second minute, parrying Conor Clifford's 20-yard volley to safety.

With Nicky Hunt shifted forward into the centre of a five-man midfield, the Reds began to enjoy some possession and created two openings for lone striker James Gray.

Josh Windass found Gray in the right channel and his cross was deflected against the near post by a Southend defender before being hacked clear.

Gray then played the ball wide for Piero Mingoia and Windass made a run down the left channel. Windass flicked Mingoia's pass inside to Gray and the Stanley striker will be disappointed with his finish as he had time to steady himself before scooping the ball wide of the far post from 14 yards.

Windass had licence to push forward from midfield and dragged a 25-yard effort wide in the 13th minute, but Southend replied with Corr scuffing a close-range shot while Ben Coker curled a 27th-minute free-kick just wide.

Ryan Leonard then kept Simpson alert with a low long-range strike, before Kevan Hurst played Myles Weston in behind Stanley left-back Michael Liddle but his first-time shot was tipped over by Simpson.

On the stroke of half-time, Windass tried his luck with a dipping 30-yard volley which had the Southend keeper back-pedalling and landed on the roof of Daniel Bentley's net.

But within two minutes of the restart the visitors were handed a great chance to break the deadlock. The Shrimpers worked some space for Shaquile Coulthirst down the left wing and just as the Tottenham loanee stepped foot in the box he was clipped by right-back Adam Buxton.

There were no arguments from the Stanley players but they had a let-off as Corr sidefooted the penalty low to Simpson's right and the 19-year-old ex-Oldham trainee guessed the right way to make the save.

The Reds regrouped with Kal Naismith firing over from 20 yards while Windass spurned a good opportunity to take the lead in the 62nd minute. The ball fell for Mingoia just inside the Southend box and he squared for Windass, who took the shot first time and turned the ball narrowly over.

But Southend would have the final say as centre-half Cian Bolger beat Hunt in the air to nod down a free-kick and as Dean Winnard prepared to clear, Barnard nipped in front to nudge the ball past the Stanley centre-half, who brought the striker down.

Referee Andy Haines had little choice but to award another penalty, which this time Barnard took. Simpson again dived to his right but Barnard sidefooted it into the opposite corner.

New loan signing James Alabi had come on for the closing stages but couldn't help Stanley salvage a point late on.

Stanley: Simpson 9, Buxton 7, Winnard 7, Aldred 7, Liddle 6, Naismith 6 (Alabi 78), Windass 8, Joyce 7 (McCartan 87), Hunt 7, Mingoia 7, Gray 6. Subs: Atkinson, Bowerman, Hatfield, Martin, Lynch.