MOTORWAY hold-ups can have their advantages.

One instance that springs to mind is Stevenage last season when Accrington Stanley were 2-0 down as the Reds' fans were just taking their seats - a game to miss as Accrington went on to lose 5-0.

But then they can also have their drawbacks.

That was on Saturday when the news came through by a phone call to the Stanley Ultras coach just as they landed at the new Pirelli Stadium that David Brown had opened the scoring.

The coach erupted into cheers and celebrations - and that didn't stop as the fans finally got on the ground, got out their banners and saw a solid display by the Reds, capped by a goal they were delighted not to miss.

This was when sub Andy Mangan got the ball on the edge of the area and curled it superbly into the bottom of the net to move the Reds up to sixth place in the league.

And John Coleman was in bouyant mood and provided his description of the opening goal for the majority of the Reds who were still winging their way into the new stadium.

"It was a well-worked move we have practised in training," explained the manager.

"We have been trying to get the wide players involved more, and a bit of quality in the timings of the runs into the box, and it all came together.

"David Brown got the ball out to Steve Jagielka on the right, got himself back into the box and finished well to tuck it away with his left foot."

Brown is the star man at the moment as, after moving up front to partner Mullin, he has got two goals in two games - and three for the season to top the Stanley scoring charts.

And while the fans were gutted to miss his goal, it certainly meant there were plenty of good spirits as they finally entered the ground with 12 minutes gone, despite four tortuous hours on the coach.

It was music to the Reds fans' ears as everyone was saying how well Accrington had opened the game but it was Burton who were launching an assault on the Reds goal in the following minutes.

Stanley keeper Darren Randolph denied Aaron Webster, kept Burton's new loan signing Danny Bacon at bay and right winger Andy Todd - from Hucknall who was a one-time Reds target - got the ball unmarked but his final shot was weak.

Despite the home side's half chances, Stanley were in charge without creating too many first half efforts themselves.

Ian Craney and Anthony Barry were strong in midfield, Jagielka proved a thorn in Burton's side on the right wing while Brown and Paul Mullin were lively up front.

And the defence - which has leaked late goals recently - had a firm grip on the Burton frontmen who struggled to create clear cut opportunities.

There was two late Stanley chances towards the break with Mullin and Jagielka linking up to set up Brown but keeper Dan Crane saved well while striker Mullin volleyed over the goal.

Nigel Clough must have given his side a rollicking at half-time as they did come out and step up a gear to put the pressure on the Reds defence.

Striker Jon Shaw, for once, did power through into the area but he shot wide of goal although claimed a Stanley player had clipped his heels as the Burton crowd moaned as their side lacked a lethal finish.

And then it was the Stanley management team who were moaning when they their penalty appeals were ignored on 48 minutes when defender Ryan Austin appeared to handle a ball meant for Mullin.

Burton did then force a series of corners but Mike Flynn got his head to everything and, to ease any nerves, Stanley did need the second.

And it came after Andy Mangan entered the fray and went up front.

A long Leam Richardson ball forward was flicked on by Mullin and landed at the feet of the teenager on the edge of the area.

And he then finished superbly placing his effort beyond the diving Crane. The celebrations showed how much it meant to the teenager although there was a worry the striker could get a second yellow card for overdoing it - after picking up an earlier booking for a tackle - but the ref saw sense.

And Brown could have made it more emphatic when he weaved his way through the defence and fired across the face of goal but no one was there to tap the ball home.

Burton then had to try and claw something back as they had done at Eton Park last year - where they came back from two goals down to seriously hinder Stanley's play-off charge.

Webster burst through and blasted well wide while sub Chris Hall got in a stunning cross which whisked across the face of goal but no one was there.

And Randolph did have to save a low shot at the death from Shaw as the Reds threatened to concede late goals as they have done in their last three league games - but they stood firm and celebrated their first Conference clean sheet since the second game of the season.

"It is good to win here," said Coleman as his side hadn't won at Burton's old ground, Eton Park, over the previous two seasons.

"We played some good football but did get a little nervy when we went in front. No one is going to make it easy for you but we have defended well and there were a lot of good performances out there.

"We knew we could go on and win and there was one spell where we kept the ball for 28 passes - akin to the Leeds side of the 1970s.

"If you keep the ball, you relieve pressure on yourselves and give the opponents less chance of scoring."

Coleman couldn't pick his man of the match but had words of praise for a couple of his younger players.

Midfielder Anthony Barry worked hard and made some vital tackles to halt the Burton charge.

"Anthony covers a lot of ground," said Coleman. "He seems to get stronger as the game goes on but he does have flat spells like anyone else. He is a game and honest lad."

And the Reds boss also enthused about Mangan who missed a last gasp chance against Scarborough which would have been the winner.

"The goal makes up for the chance he missed at Scarborough. It was nice for him to do that. He is a handful when he comes on," added Coleman.