Stanley 1 Carlisle 1

Stanley came from behind to draw at home against Carlisle with both sides reduced to ten men after a tightly contested affair.

Carlisle had striker Jabo Ibehre dismissed in the first 30 seconds of the game for a hard challenge on Matty Pearson.

Despite being a man light, the visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when striker Hallum Hope intercepted a poor back pass to round the keeper Ross Etheridge at the edge of the box and curve in a right footed strike into the back of the net.

Attempts were few and far between throughout the majority of the first half with Carlisle creating the better of the chances.

Midfielder Jason Kennedy came the closest to adding to the scoreline and doubling the visitors’ advantage when he broke into the box but scooped his effort just over the top of the bar.

Stanley subjected Carlisle to early pressure at the beginning of the second half with Sean McConville testing the opposition keeper from distance.

Accrington’s Adam Buxton was then shown a second yellow card and sent off for a clumsy challenge on 54 minutes after bundling down Charlie Wyke at the edge of the box following a corner.

While it may have now been 10 vs 10, the Reds equalised on 58 minutes after half-time substitute Terry Gornell flicked on McConville’s neat chip into the box into the back of the net.

Similar to the first half, both sides found it difficult to break down the opposition with striker Billy Kee finally forcing a fine save from Carlisle keeper Gillespie after neat build up play in the 80th minute.

Carlisle responded with a late effort of their own when substitute Alex Gilliead tried his luck, but he couldn’t get his effort on target and the match finished 1-1.

Accrington moved up to fourth with the result whilst Carlisle meant remained in 12th in the table.