PAUL Mullin was the hero as Accrington Stanley shocked two times European champions Nottingham Forest to claim a second round place in their first ever Carling Cup clash.

The striker scored - via Danny Cullip's deflection - just after the hour to send the fans into wild celebration at the Fraser Eagle stadium.

It was no more than the Reds deserved against the League One hundred per centers.

It was Stanley's eighth straight television win - and manager John Coleman admits they just love the cameras.

"It is amazing our record on Sky," said the Reds chief. "I just wish the cameras could come every week.

"I think we can play better than we did but we have kept a clean sheet and won and I have got to be happy with that.

"It was a great slice of luck for the goal with the deflection but I must take my hat off to the defenders.

"I always put a team out to win a game and if we played Manchester United tomorrow, I would have a game plan to try and win the game. You have got to stand up and be counted and I try and instill that into my players - to believe in themseves and they can take themselves as far as they want to go."

It was a grandstand finish with Forest boss Colin Calderwood, who initially fielded a weakened side, throwing on his big guns at the end but Ian Dunbavin pulled off three top class saves.

And Rommy Boco could have eased Coleman's nerves at the death as he ran through unmarked but Paul Smith stopped his initial shot and the rebound.

  • The second round draw - which will include Premiership sides not involved in European competition - will take place on Saturday.

Full story in this week's Observer