KAL Naismith saw an eventful week come to an agonising finish as he missed a last-gasp penalty at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Stanley fell behind in a poor first half, Byron Harrison giving the hosts a 34th-minute lead, but the Reds threw away two chances for a point.

Bury made a bid for Naismith last week and the following day he was brought off at half-time at Leeds. The Scottish winger stayed in the starting line-up, though, and looked to have repaid James Beattie’s faith when he equalised in the 77th minute.

But substitute Koby Arthur caught the Reds napping to restore Cheltenham’s lead with six minutes left, and although Stanley were awarded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, Naismith lifted it over the bar to leave the Reds with three straight defeats at the start of the new season.

Beattie stuck with the 3-5-2 formation that worked during the second half at Leeds, so defender Rob Atkinson came in for Piero Mingoia. But the hosts were the first to threaten with a Joe Hanks free-kick deflecting wide while former Stanley striker Terry Gornell went close.

The Reds were restricted to long-range strikes as Dean Winnard, James Alabi and Naismith all fired off target.

Moments later Gornell escaped the attentions of Tom Aldred to run at the Reds’ defence. The ball broke for Lee Vaughan on the edge of the box and Luke Simpson did well to turn his low shot wide.

But from the corner, Troy Brown beat Atkinson to head against the far post and Harrison reacted quickest to tap in the rebound.

The Reds replied with Josh Windass finally testing Trevor Carson with a 30-yard strike, which rolled inches wide off the keeper’s fingertips.

But Cheltenham had had the better of the first half and remained on top after the restart, Jason Taylor lobbing the ball over while defender Matt Taylor headed against the bar.

Simpson then pulled off another fine save to prevent them doubling their lead on 62 minutes. Brown’s long ball was nodded down for Arthur, whose 20-yard volley was superbly tipped over.

Beattie brought on George Bowerman and Mingoia in a bid to get back into the game and their introduction had the desired effect.Bowerman played a one-two with Gray to get into the box. The striker then lost his footing but did well to poke the ball back to Gray, who in turn showed good composure to square for an unmarked Naismith to sidefoot home from eight yards.

But having regained parity, the Reds squandered it seven minutes later following a counter-attack from their own corner. Windass delivered it and just 12 seconds later the ball was in the Stanley net.

Carson was unchalleneged as he gathered Windass’ corner before punting the ball upfield. The Reds’ last man, left-back Jordan Mustoe, made the mistake of letting it bounce and Arthur’s pace took him in behind to steer the ball past Simpson.

There was still time for Stanley and in added time they were handed a lifeline. Nicky Hunt played a hopeful ball into the box and Mingoia, with his back to goal, was tripped by Vaughan.

There was some debate over who’d take the spot-kick and Beattie said he’d speak to those involved as Naismith is Stanley’s designated penalty-taker. And perhaps that drama affected the young Scot as he strode up casually before sidefooting the ball over.

It looks great when it comes off, as it did in the pre-season game at New Mills when Naismith stuck it right in the top corner.But when it doesn’t you look foolish, which Naismith discovered this time as he placed it just too high.

Stanley: Simpson 8, Buxton 6 (Mingoia 74, 7), Aldred 6, Atkinson 6, Winnard 6, Mustoe 6, Hunt 6, Windass 7, Naismith 7, Alabi 7 (Bowerman 76, 7), Gray 7. Subs: Carver, Goulding, Hatfield, McCartan, Lynch.
Attendance: 2,340 (56 away).