Jay Harris certainly knows the way to impress a new manager.

The former Everton trainee, set to sign a one-year-deal for the Reds, unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard winner against League One side Blackpool which left boss John Coleman in no doubt that he was making the right decision in snapping up the youngster.

And Harris himself admitted he needed to double check his wonder strike had actually hit the back of the net on Wednesday night.

"I was over the moon," he said. "I couldn't believe it and had to take another look.

"I was waiting for Mangy (Andy Mangan) to play me in and it took a lucky bobble right into my path.

"Luckily for me, I have just hit it and it has gone in. I was made up. I do tend to score a few but not always like that!"

Coleman admitted: "It was a great finish but I thought maybe he had hit it too early. He is a confident lad and is not shy to put his foot in where it counts."

The win against Blackpool will have done Coleman's side the world of good as they now face two games in Scotland before the start of the League Two season a week on Saturday.

Coleman was using the rest of his Stanley squad following on from their Tuesday night victory over Northwich plus a number of trialists who were getting their last chance to stake a claim for a Reds shirt next season.

Ashley Foyle partnered Robbie Williams at the centre of defence with another ex-Everton trainee Chris Seargent in midfield while former Blackburn Rover Joel Byrom played on the left.

And there was a welcome return for Stanley's top scorer Paul Mullin who is hoping to shrug off all the effects of his hernia operation in time for the August 5 showdown with Chester.

However, it was the Seasiders who were first in action with Rob Elliot showing he has lost none of his shot-stopping ability from last season as the Reds keeper had to pull off a superb save from Matt Lawlor on nine minutes. The Blackpool man leapt high with Elliot punching out his point blank header.

Former Stanley winger Rory Prendergast was giving right back Danny Ventre a tough time and he played in a deep cross but this time unmarked Sean Paterson was off target on 11 minutes.

The Reds then started to get into the game and winger Andy Todd came close to grabbing his first Stanley goal of the pre-season but his first shot was well saved by Lee Jones and his follow-up header was over the bar.

Striker Andy Mangan was desperate to score against the club who released him last summer and he fired over the bar before his free kick was off-target.

There was then a worry with Elliot hobbling following an innocuous challenge but the 20-year-old battled through the pain barrier as he looks to seal the goalkeeper's shirt with Ian Dunbavin pressing him all the way.

And it was almost a dream return for Mullin just before half-time when Mangan tricked past the defence before crossing for the unmarked striker in the area. Unfortunately for Mullin, he screwed the effort well wide with the goal at his mercy.

It was the striker's last action as he made way for winger Gary Roberts after the break.

Stanley upped a gear in the second half with Joel Byrom playing in an accurate ball across the goal but Mangan just failed to get a touch on it.

However, Blackpool still had their chances and Sean Clancy caught the Reds defence wrong-footed and he fired the ball past Elliot but fortunately for Stanley it sailed just wide of the upright too.

Mangan then produced something out of nothing with a 20-yard effort which Jones did well to tip over.

However, Harris made no mistake with his strike. The midfielder was introduced on 59 minutes and had only been on the pitch nine minutes when he got the ball and rifled it into the back of the net to make it a memorable match for the teenager.

Stanley could have increased their lead with Roberts testing Blackpool's 16-year-old sub keeper Kyle Clancy with a fierce effort and the youngster did well again from Roberts after the wideman had beat the off-side trap and broke through but Clancy came out to block him.

Mangan set up Todd at the death with Clancy again equal to the volley but the Reds were happy to settle for a one-goal victory and a clean sheet.

"It is always nice to win," said Coleman. "It is part and parcel of our preparation and Blackpool had a mix and match side like us.

"It was nice to keep a clean sheet and win the game. You do not get any reward for it but hopefully it will give a few of the lads some confidence and they will take it into the season.

"What pleased me as well was that Andy Mangan showed a lot of responsibility out there and that side of his game has let him down in the past.

"But he was careful with the ball, made intelligent runs and if he keeps playing like that, he will be pushing for a first team place.

"He desperately wanted to score against his old club - he wanted to do everything. He even asked if he could be captain!"

STANLEY: Elliot, Ventre, Edwards, Williams, Foyle, Procter (Harris 59), Byrom (Scales 66), Todd, Seargant (Boggan 62), Mangan, Mullin (Roberts 46).

BLACKPOOL: Jones, Slater, Burns, Bean, Lawler, Donnelly, Kay, Paterson, Young, Prendergast, Clancy.