THERE was no big freeze from Accrington Stanley despite the icy conditions on Friday night.

The Reds turned up the heat on their promotion rivals with an early three points which moved then to the top of the Conference table.

Grays knocked them from pole position on Saturday but Friday night football is giving the club's supporters and the club's finances a warm glow.

So far the Reds have had two Friday games - against Hereford and Forest Green - and took maximum points.

And 1,506 hardy people braved the freezing conditions to cheer Stanley to the top.

Stanley manager John Coleman admitted: "It was a great atmosphere, the fans were amazing and it is nice that they have gone home happy.

"It was a good game and the scoreline could have been about 7-4.

"There was some great football served up, some good chances, some good saves and it was a good night for football."

He wasn't wrong as, although the hard, frozen pitch made it difficult, both sides contributed to a thrilling game - and Forest Green didn't look like a side who merit being bottom of the league.

Their two tall forwards were a threat, while the two centre halves were strong - but Stanley had space on the wings and it was from there the two goals came.

The first, on 33 minutes, was finished by man of the moment Gary Roberts who is attracting attention with his stunning displays.

Steve Jagielka broke up a Green attack, he found David Brown, who broke superbly and played a great defence splitting ball which Roberts got on the end of to smash the ball into the net, past the outrushing Ryan Clarke.

And, from left winger to right winger, Jagielka then scored his second in two games with another wonder volley two minutes after the break.

Michael Welch was unlucky not to score after his thumping header from a Rommy Boco cross was brilliantly pushed out from point blank range by Rovers keeper Clarke. The ball fell nicely for Paul Mullin on the by line to put it back in and Jagielka again almost broke the back of the net with his shot.

Stanley could have had more as Boco, who had come on for the injured Brown on 40 minutes, fired one effort wide after he burst clean through.

And the Benin international was also kept out by Clarke as, after he charged forward and held off the attentions of Abdou Sall, he tried to chip the keeper from the edge of the penalty area but Clarke did well to get his hand to it and turn the effort away.

The Forest Green backline struggled to contain the lively Boco and, in injury time, Anthony Barry and Roberts linked up and sent him through but his shot from the edge of the area for once had Clarke beaten - but bounced off the crossbar.

The African was doing his best to get his first Conference goal while Ian Craney also came desperately close to adding to his goal tally.

The midfielder pounced after Roberts had been denied but Clarke did well to keep Craney out with his legs. The England National XI player also fired another effort into the side netting after good work from Phil Edwards.

And Craney, with the last action of the game, was thwarted by Clarke again as he one handedly touched away a goalbound effort.

"Their keeper has made some world class saves," continued Coleman. "It is nice to get the goals - and even nicer to get a clean sheet."

Stanley's last league shut-out came against Burton Albion on September 10 but Gary Owers' side made Stanley work hard for the clean sheet.

Abdou Sall headed a Ben Harding corner wide in the early stages while, on 22 minutes, tall striker Zema Abbey broke through but finished poorly by scuffing a shot wide.

And Rovers continued to be a threat - especially from corners as they forced 14 flag kicks and each one was a danger to the Reds' goal.

Green sub Guy Madjo, a Cameroon-born striker on loan from Bristol City, was introduced on the hour and his mazy runs also tested the Reds backline who held firm.

And Harding, who had worked hard on the left wing and had taken their numerous corners, also came close to finding a way through when he had time and space to fire home in the penalty area on 86 minutes but instead shot wide.

Stanley keeper Darren Randolph also had to copy his counterpart in performing heroics as he finger-tipped over a Matt Gadsby effort at the death.

"In the past, we have struggled against teams in the ilk of Forest Green," said Coleman, with Rovers being something of a bogey team for the Reds in previous seasons.

"This time, they have threatened us on more than one occasion and must have had about 15 corners and on another day they might have got a couple of goals and it might have been different.

"But I have said all along, I think every win in the Conference is vital,

"Each game is difficult and the more wins you get under your belt, the easier you make life for yourself."

Forest Green boss Gary Owers was bemoaning his side's finishing.

"I thought we performed well in the first half but they scored two goals which nearly took out the back of the net while our shots dribbled wide of the post.

"Ryan (Clarke) has made some good saves in the second half and it would have been harsh on us if the scoreline had been greater.

"We had 14 corners and six or seven of those almost resulted in a goal but it is alarming with the height and strength in the team that we are not doing better from set pieces and it isn't good enough."