STANLEY’S clashes with Paul Ince are never dull.

Last season, as Macc boss he stuck out his foot looking like he was trying to trip up last gasp goal hero Andy Mangan in a 3-3 draw at Moss Rose which certainly got the shackles up against the former Manchester United legend.

Stanley fans weren’t much happier with Ince earlier this season as his new side MK Dons romped to a 5-0 win over the Reds.

And then Bank Holiday Monday’s clash got all heated as the game erupted in the 90th minute with once again some bad feeling - and the Reds could be made to pay financially.

Defender Leam Richardson was at the centre of the chaos as he rushed to take a throw in and collided with Dons assistant manager Ray Mathias who fell to the ground.

The dug-outs seemed friendly enough but then, out of nowhere, a melee followed with Ince making a move towards Richardson before once again it seemed to have finished.

But then the fourth official had a word with referee Eddie Idlerton who booked Richardson and Coleman ran onto the pitch to protest - and was sent to the stands for the second game running with assistant Jimmy Bell also told to leave the dug out.

It was a bad-tempered finale but the general view from all concerned was that the referee, who otherwise had a good game, had got this wrong.

Richardson admitted: "We were obviously chasing the game and we felt hard done by with the goal and a couple of things and it was getting a bit heated.

"I went to take a quick throw in and their man stepped in front of me. I ran into him and he into me and then a few people got involved.

"The fourth official said I had done it on purpose but he had stepped out of his technical area and that is there for a reason. Paul Ince tried to get at a few of our players who were trying to defuse the situation. I couldn’t believe I was booked."

Coleman was similary fuming: "It was absolutely farcical. Our player has tried to take a quick throw in, their assistant manager has stepped in front of him and been knocked over.

"He is outside the technical area and it was comical - we were all laughing. Then Paul Ince took a bit of an exception, he ran in, there was a melee and I tried my hardest to get him out of the picture.

"Then, for some reason, the fourth official decided one of our players should be booked for trying to take quick thrown in.

"I never got involved in a fight - I tried to stop a fight - and I got sent to the stands. So now it looks like "John Coleman sent off for the second game running," I could face a fine and it is an absolute joke.

"When people see it on the television they will realise what a mistake the referee has made.

"He said it was for going onto the pitch but was their manager and assistant not on the pitch?

"It doesn’t make any sense but I have a clear conscience."

Dons assistant boss Ray Mathias played down the incident. He said: "It was just something stupid. Their lad knocked me over. I was in the technical area but it was a nothing incident and I didn’t see the rest as I was trying to get up.

"I thought it was harsh that their manager and assistant got sent off."

It made for a dramatic end to a game where both sides had largely stifled each other out - and a draw would have been a good result for the Reds against the League Two leaders.

But then, in the last ten minutes, it all turned wrong as the Reds slipped to their 13th home loss of the season.

Seven minutes from time, Stanley lost the ball in an attack and Dean Lewington played in a low cross. There were Red bodies about but the ball came out to substitute Mark Wright who stroked home his 14th goal of the campaign.

It was heart-breaking for the Reds who, with the leakiest defence in the league, had done so well against the League One candidates.

Darran Kempson and Phil Edwards were superb at the heart of defence and gelled immediately with Andy Todd and Richardson doing their best to keep the dangerous wingers quiet.

Shaun Whalley battled hard up front chasing down every ball and making sure keeper Willy Gueret was constantly under pressure with his goalkicks while the midfield hassled and harried the Dons’ players every time they got the ball.

It meant that goalmouth action was limited on a snowy, windy day but that suited the Reds just fine as they looked for some home pride after a dismal season at the FES.

There was plenty of effort and fighting spirit with the recalled David Brown having the best chance.

Winger Asward Thomas tempted the keeper off his line and Craney played the ball to unmarked Brown inside the box.

However, the wideman delayed his shot too long and the stranded Gueret recovered to keep the ball out.

At the other end, defender Sean O’Hanlon wasted two good opporunities for the visitors. He headed over when he was unmarked from a corner and then, on the stroke of half-time, he ballooned the ball high over the crossbar from six yards out following a goalmouth scramble.

After the break, there were only half chances for the title chasers as keeper Kenny Arthur collected shots from captain Keith Andrews and Aaron Wilbraham easily while John Miles, the Reds winger loaned to MK Dons, was unable to make a big impression against his parent club and was substituted.

It looked like the Reds - who had had ten goals put past them in their last three games - would hold on for an important clean sheet and a morale boosting draw against Ince’s side until Wright made his impact and the late off-the-field drama.

"We put in a great deal of effort," said Coleman. "We maybe didn’t have the cutting edge going forward and we gave the ball away cheaply for their goal.

"But I am proud of the lads as it was a good defensive performance in the main and they worked hard and competed well against the top of the league.

"Phil Edwards is one of my candidates for Player of the Season - he is consistent and has a smashing attitude and outlook on life.

"It was a massive improvement from the second half on Saturday and we are going in the right direction.

"It is strange as you see their staff come through the gate and they have an analyst, a nutritionist and probably someone to wipe someone’s backside - their staff they have got will pay our wages."

And Coleman will be wishing he had some of their money if he has to dip into his pocket and pay a fine to the Football Association for his dismissals.

But at least there is one thing - Stanley look destined to avoid any Ince drama next season with his side on course for League One.