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Barnet 1 Accrington Stanley 2

Dany Robson
12/ 2/2007

ANDY Procter is hoping to have won his first team place back after scoring a much-needed winning goal at Barnet on Saturday.

The midfielder has lost his spot to new signing Tony Grant but came off the bench to fire home the winner, from Grant's ball in, six minutes from time.

"I was delighted," said Procter with his first goal in more than two years. "It is always disappointing to lose your place but this may help to change the manager's mind."

The three points were vital as Stanley look to climb away from the relegation zone.

The Reds took the lead when Ian Hendon pushed Robbie Williams in the area and Andy Todd slotted home the 40th minute spot kick.

But, on the stroke of half time, Adam Birchall fired home the equaliser much to manager John Coleman's frustration.

"I nearly broke my foot by kicking the treatment table at half-time. I blew my top," he said.

Polish keeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak pulled off a series of stunning saves after the break before Bees sub Liam Hatch was sent off for elbowing Stanley debutant Mauro Almeida.

Procter scored and then Barnet's Barry Cogan was also sent for an early bath for two bookable offences but it was still a nervy finish with Andy Mangan and Shaun Whalley both being denied by keeper Robert Burch after two one-on-ones and the nine men searching for the equaliser.

"Fortunately we held on but we could have made it a lot more comfortable for ourselves," admitted Coleman.

Full report in Friday's Observer