ON April 15 2006, striker Paul Mullin fired Accrington Stanley into the Football League.

Then it was a day for team celebrations - for everyone connected with Stanley to enjoy the parties and revel in the media attention as the Reds won the Nationwide Conference.

364 days on, Saturday was Mullin's own special day as he became the Reds' record breaker, chalking up a staggering 362 games in his seven seasons at the club as he ran out onto the pitch against Grimsby.

The 33-year-old wanted no fuss before the game, ignoring the announcements of his achievement as he warmed up with his team-mates and choosing not to take the captain's armband despite the offer from skipper Peter Cavanagh.

But afterwards - and after another win guided Stanley towards League Two safety - he could finally relax and enjoy his moment.

"It has all been a bit embarrassing," said the modest Mullin. "But I have had a great time at the club and all the players I have played with have been great. There have been some good characters and it has never been dull.

"It's my seventh season and I have managed to stay clear of injuries, which has been a big thing.

"I only live 15 minutes down the road and so to come here, help Accrington get into the league and break the record is special."

And just to make it that bit extra special, Mullin did what he does best - and got on the scoresheet for the 172nd time.

"It was good to score although I don't get many outside the six yard box nowadays!" joked Mullin."I really don't care how they go in though - they can go in off my backside. A goal is a goal.

"John Coleman had said it was in the script that I would score but I just kept my head down all week. It is always nice though."

Despite not wanting the attention, Mullin can't help but be the centre of it with some vital goals for the Reds throughout his Stanley career. He has bounced up at every level from the UniBond League since he signed in 2000 and the £15,000 spent then must be worth every penny.

And he has now grabbed 15 goals this season despite being something of a veteran in his first taste of the Football League.

It was, too, a typical poachers goal to open the scoring against the mid-table Mariners and secure Stanley's fourth home win on the trot and probably the three points which should keep the Reds safe.

A Sean Doherty high ball in seemed relatively harmless with Mullin surrounded in the box, but he headed the first effort and then stuck his foot out to get a touch on the rebound off a defender to send Stanley ahead.

It was what Coleman's side needed after a dour opening 20 minutes where Grimsby dominated possession without really hurting the the home side.

But the Mariners will feel they deservedly got back into the clash when a short free kick set up Tom Newey who hit the ball low and hard beyond the diving David Martin four minutes before the break.

Coleman has pointed out turning points in the games the Reds have lost.

But the award of a penalty and the dismissal of ex-Blackburn Rover Gary Croft was the moment when Stanley went on and won this clash.

A Doherty corner to the far post on the stroke of half-time was headed goalwards by Andy Procter. There were claims it had already crossed the line when the ball hit Croft on the arm.

Referee Jon Moss had no qualms in immediately pointing to the spot and showing a red card to the right back.

"The game hinges on the sending off," said Coleman. "I feel for the lad because it is instinctive. Once the referee has given the penalty, he has got to send him off and it is all a little bit unfortunate but we have been punished with that in the past.

"I don't like the rule and a yellow card is probably right - although not even a yellow as you are punished enough with the penalty. The referee has no option though and that has changed the game."

Andy Todd has become king of the penalties and he was confident as he blasted home his 11th goal of the season and surely now, there could only be one winner against the ten men.

However Coleman has said that his side never make things easy and only the crossbar denied Nick Fenton grabbing another equaliser for Grimsby in stoppage time in the first half.

At half-time, the other scores were flying around with relegation rivals Wrexham and Torquay both winning but it wouldn't matter if the Reds could seal the three points at the FES.

And, after the break, they did just that.

They were able to make use of the extra man and started putting Grimsby under pressure while Town were running around in circles unable to get anywhere close to Martin's goal.

And Coleman could finally relax in the dug out probably for the first time since the 5-0 home win over Wrexham in September when Stanley's third goal came from an unlikely source.

Sean Doherty, after a trial with Championship side Ipswich, has come in out of the cold to play a part in the finale of Stanley's first league campaign. And ten minutes after the restart, Todd's cross fell nicely to the unmarked winger who took two touches to fire home from six yards out - his first league goal in a Stanley shirt.

The game then wasn't the prettiest as both sides huffed and puffed on the tricky pitch before it was well and truly settled with the move of the match.

With two minutes to go, substitute David Brown broke through and unselfishly passed to defender Cavanagh on the edge of the area who side footed the ball past Phil Barnes to complete the rout - and everyone breathed a hugh sigh of relief.

"When the fourth went in, I knew we had won and it is a long time since I have felt like that in a match," said Coleman.

"I heard one Grimsby fan say coming here was like a "visit to hell" and we have got to make it that for every club that comes here."

But it certainly hasn't been hell for record breaker Mullin.