AFTER five hours at home without a goal, Stanley would have taken one any which way.
And Leam Richardson’s first ever Reds goal wasn’t quite of spectacular proportions - but they all count and this was crucial.
The ex-Bolton defender, playing in a right wing role, admitted it was a cross which found the back of the net on 31 minutes and, although it doesn’t quite compare to his only other senior goal, it was just as important.
"The first goal I scored was for Blackpool against Oldham - and I meant it," joked 28-year-old Richardson, who last found the back of the net in December 2003 in a 5-3 Seaside win.
"I volleyed it from around 30 yards and it was voted second best all-time FA Cup goal to one of Thierry Henry’s. That was a good one.
"I had been getting some stick off the lads about never scoring so I brought the video in to show them that I had.
"I have to admit Tuesday night’s was a cross as I had seen Mullers (Paul Mullin) on the back post.
"Mullers said he left it to go in so that I could have the goal but I don’t believe him.
"When I saw that I had scored I just thought "At last!" and then I thought I was quite cool in my celebrations considering I haven’t scored in a long time.
"I have taken a lot of stick off the lads over the years but I am not on set pieces, I do not come up for corners and I tend to concentrate on defensive duties.
"So I think, really, I am lucky to have one at all!
"But to play on the right wing on Tuesday gave me a chance.
"There isn’t much difference apart from the fact I can get further forward but also support the defence - and it worked out both ways.
"I am just waiting to get the nod up front now!"
The only disappointment for Richardson was that his family missed his big moment.
His brother, Arron, comes to watch most of Accrington’s matches - but didn’t come on Tuesday night.
"He rung me about coming over and I told him the weather wasn’t too good and so he never did," said Richardson.
"He has come to almost every match with my mates and he rung me straight after telling me off as he said it was my fault that he hadn’t come.
"He hasn’t seen the goal so I told him it was another 30-yarder."
It wasn’t quite that but Richardson had linked up in a neat move with Andy Mangan down the right and played in a deep cross to the far post.
Paul Mullin was waiting to pounce but the ball sneaked beyond keeper Ben Hamer, hit the bar and bounced into the back of the net.
It was all that was needed as Stanley halted a run of three successive losses, finally chalked up their first home win of the 2008 season and kept their first clean sheet in 16 matches.
It was a good all-round solid display following the disappointment of Saturday’s loss to Stockport and Richardson believes it has been coming for a while.
"It was a relief after but, all credit to the lads and the management, even though we have been on a bad run, they have turned up every Monday still believing and up for every game.
"We always believe we can win and give it a good go.
"The goal was good but the defence has had its fair share of criticism over the season so it was equally as good to keep a clean sheet."
Manager John Coleman called on Mark Roberts and Sean Webb to return to their central defensive partnership of earlier in the season.
And the pair were strong together, throwing their bodies in front of blocks, making vital headers and strong challenges to keep out a Brentford team aiming for the play-offs.
Aswad Thomas was given a left wing berth and seemed to enjoy getting forward while Phil Edwards battled hard at the back.
Richardson and Jay Harris began on the wings while Mangan made his first start on his return to Stanley and showed the beginnings of what could be a good partnership between him and Mullin up front.
And, after creating little against Stockport on Saturday, Stanley had more chances in the first 10 minutes against the Bees.
Mangan forced a good save out of Hamer while Mullin tried his luck with a volley from the edge of the area - a rare sight - which stung the finger-tips of the Bees keeper.
Harris, returning after suspension for Andy Procter, curled a shot wide after a good ball from Mangan and the home fans - although low in number - really got behind their side and made a noise.
It was an atmosphere from previous campaigns with non-stop singing and Stanley charging forward on the pitch but they just needed that goal.
They did have one or two hearts-in-the mouth moments with Edwards tackling Reuben Reid twice in the area but referee Russell Booth did not listen to any penalty appeals - and then came the all-important goal.
Richardson had been getting into good positions and he and Mangan did the business to set up what turned out to be the winner.
Brentford, who recently beat Stanley 3-1, didn’t have a shot until the 40th minute and then Alan Connell’s free kick was wide of Kenny Arthur’s goal.
They kept out the Bees at half-time - the first time in ten games that the Reds haven’t conceded in the first half.
Brentford boss Andy Scott admitted he "lost his rag" at half-time and his side did up the tempo after the break.
Connell lofted a ball over Arthur’s goal and they introduced Nathan Elder who had been a threat at Griffin Park.
But Stanley managed to contain Elder and their top scorer Glenn Poole as the fans’ cheers got louder and louder almost willing the ball away from the home goal.
Mullin, who hasn’t scored for seven games, then had a great chance to increase his 12 goal tally when Hamer fumbled an Ian Craney strike and it bobbled up at the striker’s feet.
But he ballooned it over an empty goal from six yards out much to the agony of all the watching management who wanted life to be easy on the bench for once.
Andy Todd came on up front and his cross just skimmed Mullin’s head while Thomas had a header cleared off the line in a frantic finale.
Then Stanley had to weather five intense minutes as the Bees threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Reds with Arthur and his defence having to stay composed.
It might have been the lowest crowd of the season with 1149 but the noise was one of the loudest when the final whistle went and the Reds have finally won at home - last done on December 15 against Chesterfield.
"It was a mixture of elation and relief in the dressing room," said Coleman.
"The whole squad has worked their socks off and, if I have to be critical, it is a shame we didn’t get a second then we could have relaxed a bit.
"But we have defended well - I thought Sean Webb was magnificent as he led the back line really well and that is what we have been missing.
"Robbo (Mark Roberts) hasn’t played for a while but has battled through and made some vital interceptions.
"They all contributed. Leam had a smashing first half and had a great game. I know his goal was meant to be a cross but I think Paul Mullin would have put it in anyway.
"It was a bit of a fluke but the build up was first class between him and Mangy and Leam put it in to the area to cause problems. I am pleased for him.
"In the end we perhaps won ugly as we had to scrap but we will settle for that."
He admitted the fans played their part.
"The supporters were magnificent - the atmosphere was really good. We may not have the numbers but they are always there and they keep supporting us."
And the clean sheet meant a nice night for Coleman.
"The clean sheet will have done a lot for confidence but there are a lot of games left and a lot of hard work to be done.
"But my daughter bought me a bottle of Cristal champagne and she said I could open it when we got our next clean sheet - so I can have a drink of it now."
