STANLEY have got into a habit of conceding early goals - but the earliest of all proved the costliest against Darlington.

In the last four games, the Reds have been trailing in the opening stages of the game.

Against Chester, City scored in the ninth minute with the Reds going on to draw 3-3.

Then, against Stockport, it was only three minutes before Stanley were chasing the game in the 2-0 loss.

At Peterborough it did take a little longer - 12 minutes - but then the floodgates opened in the 8-2 hammering.

But Tommy Wright’s goal after 30 seconds for the Quakers on Tuesday proved the most decisive as that settled an even contest and condemned the Reds to their fourth defeat in five league games - one point out of 15.

Stanley did concentrate for 89 minutes and should have got something out of the game but one defensive lapse cost them and manager John Coleman was ready to point the finger.

"You can’t give teams a goal start," said the Reds’ chief, with his side rooted firmly in mid-table in 17th place.

"It was bad defending by one of our main protaganists again - in Robbie Williams - and things have to change.

"He has been fantastic player for us over the years and was magnificent last year.

"But we set our targets and, after 25 seconds, we fell short of them and it is not good enough and it has cost us the game.

"Rocky knows it. He is old enough, wise enough and experienced enough to hold his hand up.

"After that, at least for 70 minutes, we were the better team and on another day we would have won."

It was route-one stuff for the all-important goal when a long ball was belted forward by ex-York keeper David Stockdale which new signing Kevin Gall - who scored twice for Carlisle against the Reds in a reserve game last week - latched onto.

He shrugged off the attentions of Williams on the edge of the area and looped the ball over keeper Ian Dunbavin which hit the crossbar.

However in-rushing Wright was first to pounce on the rebound and he flicked it into the empty net.

Any Stanley fans could then fear the worst as their side have conceded 13 goals in three games.

But the Reds then defended well and held firm and deserved more against the play-off chasers.

However, it wasn’t just defensively that the Reds fell short.

A high percentage of goals are scored from set-pieces but Stanley’s were woeful on the night with Ian Craney and Mark King being the main culprits - unable to get past the first man with corners and free kicks.

"Our deliveries from set plays were shocking," continued Coleman.

"We practised them for 45 minutes on Monday and we had some bright inventive moves but if the delivery is not there, then you fall down.

"We have people who are good deliverers in Ian Craney and Mark King but, for some reason, they were not on form.

"We squandered chances but you can’t keep saying you are unlucky, you have to go and do something about it and until we manage to get ourselves a platform in a game we are always going to struggle."

Darlington boss Dave Penney, despite the win, was more unhappy with his side’s show although he has the comfort of looking at the table and seeing his side in second spot.

"We were great for 40 seconds and average for the rest of the game," said the Quakers boss.

"I think it was five and sixes out of ten rather than sevens and eights.

"After we scored early we should have gone on and scored more goals or at least put in a better performance.

"They (Accrington) were the better team after that and, if we are to achieve anything, we have got to improve.

"I am disappointed with the quality but it is a sign of a good team that you don’t play well and still win."

How Coleman could wish for that bit of luck at a time when his side are lacking in confidence and still searching for their first win of 2008.

He had threatened changes following the 8-2 disaster with Phil Doughty making a good debut after signing from Blackpool for a month. Apart from the early lapse, he kept Wright and Gall reasonably quiet and made some important clearances.

He initially linked up with Williams but the defender hobbled off injured after 39 minutes and Graham Branch got a recall to the squad and was a steadying influence in the heart of the backline.

King, signed recently from Blackburn Rovers, was moved from the left back slot up until the left wing and he had a strong first half, making some runs, having a couple of headers on goal and putting in some crosses to trouble the Darlington defence.

Craney was playing a more forward role with Paul Mullin and, while the latter’s threat was largely snuffed out, Craney did find time and space but couldn’t make the most of it.

He did produce one good save out of Stockdale, belting a shot forward in the second half which the keeper did well to push out but the rebound didn’t fall nicely for Mullin who, leaning back, was only able to sky the follow up.

King had also had a first half chance which was tipped over by Stockdale but that was the goalie’s only real action as, for all Accrington’s build up, they couldn’t find the final ball.

At the other end, after 40 seconds, Darlington did rarely threaten despite right winger Julian Joachim proving a handful.

The former Premiership star did carve out one opportunity on 35 minutes threading the ball through for midfielder Micky Cummins and he turned and fired in the area with Dunbavin doing well to push the ball around the post.

After the break, after spending the first half in the stands alongside chairman Eric Whalley, Coleman came down to the dug outs and saw his side put on a better show with the 2800 fans at the sparsley populated Darlington Arena - who holds 27,000 - getting on their teams’ backs.

This is despite Darlington having the meanest defence in League Two with just 17 goals conceded in their 27 matches.

Craney flashed an effort wide, Jay Harris got more into the game linking up well with the front men and Andy Todd made a few more runs.

But, at the other end, Dunbavin had to be quick off the blocks to keep out Paul Mayo and Joachim drilled the ball wide although the game never quite reached the high entertainment level.

The Reds must have feared the worst when Greg Blundell came on for the final 20 minutes as the striker does seem to score against the Reds but he was largely kept quiet.

Then, 11 minutes from time, Craney almost made the breakthrough Stanley deserved with their best chance producing the wonder save from Stockdale.

The Reds then forced a number of set pieces in the final minutes but they came to nothing.

And their year so far can be summed up in the final minute - the 94th - when the Reds won a corner. Instead of Craney pumping it into the area with second remaining, he played it short, Stanley lost it and the Quakers raced down the other end only for Blundell to finish in the side netting.

It was over by then and the 40 or so travelling Reds’ fans were left with another disappointing journey home - Stanley’s third successive loss on their travels.

"We set ourselves little targets and they all went out of the window within 30 seconds," added Coleman.

"But we have gone 89 minutes without conceding so I am more upbeat than after Peterbor-ough, which is understandable. But until we keep that elusive clean sheet it is always going to be a struggle."

Stanley last kept a clean sheet 12 games ago - and Coleman know it is his side who need to be quick starters for the rest of the season.