Conference Cup Northern Quarter-Final

MANAGER John Coleman has stressed the need for a striker - but his forward line made him think again as the Reds reached the Northern semi-final of the Conference Cup with a five star show.

In-form Lee McEvilly and Rory Prendergast celebrated a double each with Paul Mullin getting the other as the Reds got some revenge on the Lambs who have beaten them twice in the league this season.

And now Stanley face a Northern semi-final at home to either Hereford or Northwich.

This competition hasn't quite captured the imagination of the fans with 356 turning up on Tuesday night and the Lambs fielding just four of the starting eleven who lost their FA Trophy game on Saturday.

But it hasn't dampened Coleman's enthusiasm as he sets his sights on the silverware.

"We were more up for the game than them but it is their prerogative if they want to field a weakened side," said the Reds chief. "It doesn't bother me one iota. We played some good football although we did knock off a bit in the second half but we played some decent stuff.

"We could have had more and we should have had more. Rory scored a couple of great goals although his crosses weren't as accurate as usual. But I want to win every game and want to win as many competitions as possible and this is no different."

Coleman only has 18 players at his disposal - with three goalkeepers - although he did change things around giving defender Mike Flynn a rest. Paul Howarth came into the right of midfield, Jonathan Smith took over in the centre of defence with Ged Brannan returning to the bench after missing the last three weeks with cracked ribs.

And it was an even start with the Lambs passing the ball around well while Stanley looked the more dangerous in front of goal.

But one early incident changed the tone of the game. Paul Howarth went in for a 50-50 ball with Lambs keeper Ryan Price and left the keeper winded and needing treatment on 21 minutes.

And he then struggled for the next nine minutes before he was eventually substituted - and Stanley were able to take full advantage.

The Reds were unlucky not to go ahead on 23 minutes when a Smith effort from a Howarth corner hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced onto the line. Smith was turning to celebrate but the ball was cleared.

But two minutes later, the net was bulging when Andy Procter passed to McEvilly, he ran onto the ball and cracked the ball low into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards and it squirmed past the hapless Price.

And it was soon two on 29 minutes, when Mullin sent Prendergast down the left wing, he crossed, McEvilly stood over it and it fell to Mullin who bundled the ball over the line.

Tamworth then changed their goalies with regular Chris Neal going between the sticks. And his first job should have been to pick the ball out of the net on 31 minutes when McEvilly found Mullin charging in at the far post but amazingly he fired wide.

But the third soon came on 47 minutes when Ian Craney's chip from the edge of the area was touched over the line by McEvilly - his sixth cup goal and 14th goal of the season.

Then Prendergast made his impact, as he left the defence standing and charged into the area and slotted home number four on 51 minutes.

Brannan then entered the fray and Paul Cook came in at left back while Peter Cavanagh and Chris Butler were given a rest.

But it made little difference as Prendergast was soon celebrating his second when he took his time from a McEvilly cross to fire home number five.

Tamworth threw on veteranhot-shot Bob Taylor and he almost chipped Danny Alcock but the keeper got back to tip the effort over. Tris Whitman suddenly came to life testing Alcock while Nick Smith headed wide.

And Mark Turner should have finished a good Tamworth move with a goal but he shot wide.

Prendergast and McEvilly were still in the hunt for their hat-tricks and should have had them.

McEvilly headed wide and fired two good efforts across the face of goal while Prendergast blasted over from 10 yards.

While Coleman was niggled that his side didn't take more of their chances, he was frustrated at a few of the crowd around his dug-out.

"It is a pity some of the crowd weren't as entertained as I was," said Coleman. "We are winning 5-0, the lads are trying their best and there is a lot of moaning and groaning going on.

"I can't understand how these people can call themselves supporters. I don't know what we can do to please them. It is annoying."

ACCRINGTON: Alcock, Cavanagh (Brannan 54), Butler (Cook 54); Williams, Smith, Procter (Jagielka 64), Howarth, Craney, McEvilly, Mullin, Prendergast. Not used: Kennedy, Flitcroft.

TAMWORTH: Price (Neal 30); McIntyre, Brampton, Smith, Storer (Douglas 55), Stamps, Cooper (Taylor 59), Turner, Dryden, Sheppard, Whitman. Not used: Smith, Redmile.