"GARY, CUT out the tricks and flicks," was the scream from the dug-outs as winger Roberts lost the ball following one of his mazy runs.

But the 21-year-old disobeyed for one moment - and his magic set up Accrington Stanley's euphoric win over league leaders Grays live on Sky television.

Roberts used his repertoire of tricks to backheel the ball and spin round to take out two defenders and play in the perfect cross for Paul Mullin to steer home.

It had the Sky commentators, who had plenty of thrills and spills in this game, purring and manager John Coleman couldn't hide his admiration of his left winger.

"Gary was magnificent from start to finish. It was probably as good a wing performance as you will see this season, certainly at our level."

Roberts was more worried about the champagne he was given by Sky as he was voted their Man of the Match - and no one could argue with that.

"I left it in the dressing room," he said while doing a number of after-match interviews. "It will probably be gone by now!"

Stanley would wish they could play in front of the cameras every week as they just seem to turn on the style - despite being reduced to ten men for the final 23 minutes when Andy Mangan was sent off.

The Reds last defeat in front of the watching TV audience was against Aldershot in their first game in the Conference. 100 games later, and any stage fright has well and truly disappeared with four television victories following including what could be a vital one on Saturday against hotly tipped promotion favourites Grays.

Not only did it stop the Essex side clinching the Conference record on their own after they had gone 15 games unbeaten this season but it showed Stanley mean business and it could be their year to fulfil those Football League dreams.

In the previous years, the Reds have fallen away near the end but there seems to be an air of confidence and determination this season which, fingers crossed, will see them through.

Stanley went to the Recreation Ground to face an in-form side who haven't lost in 64 matches at home.

But it just seemed set up for a Reds win. The tribute to Peter Cavanagh's brother, Tony, with the players wearing T-shirts bearing his picture meant it was an emotional game where winning meant that little bit more.

And the Reds have never let the odds worry them as, last season, they celebrated glorious wins over the runaway leaders Barnet and play-off side Stevenage.

They seem to rise to the occasion and in the first half, although Grays had more of the possession, it was Stanley who carved out the better chances.

The ever-consistent Mullin chested down one ball, Anthony Barry found Roberts and the left winger blazed a ball across the goal with no on there to finish.

Then came the first of three controversial penalty decisions on 10 minutes. Michael Welch caught Gray's top scorer Jamie Slabber with the home fans screaming for a spot kick but the referee, Mr Harris, waved away the vocal appeals. Those watching on Sky sent in texts to people at the ground ranging from "definite penalty" to "Slabber made a meal of it" and it could have gone either way.

Then the same could be said for the next incident where Robbie Williams did stop Dennis Oli breaking through and was shown a yellow - but the home fans felt the defender was the last man.

But from that incident there was one red card shown when manager John Coleman was sent off for "irresponsible behaviour" for saying something to the fourth official and walking out of his technical area.

"It's embarrassing really," said the boss. "I shouldn't leave the technical area but I haven't swore or been abusive. I was told it was for irresponsible behaviour but I didn't hurt anybody. I think when the referee looks at it again he will think it was harsh."

And all this with just 15 minutes on the clock - Sky could not complain of boring telly!

Striker David Brown blazed a great chance wide while Mullin headed off-target.

Grays had free kicks around the area but made nothing of them and Stanley took charge on 37 mintues through Roberts' silky skills.

He tormented Andy Sambrook and Stuart Thurgood, left them both standing, and set up Mullin at the far post for a well-taken goal.

Mullin says it's his fourth goal of the season, Craney says one of Mullin's belongs to him, but, all in all, it didn't matter in the wild celebrations as they pointed to Jimmy Bell's "RIP Tony" T-shirt.

Grays then had a spell of pressure with Aaron McLean heading over but Stanley seemed to throw their bodies in front of everything while Roberts felt Stevland Angus had hacked him down in the area but the ref was having none of it again.

And Darren Randolph then made sure another McLean effort was pushed away on the stroke of half-time.

The drama continued after the break with Mullin hitting the post from a tight angle but then Grays hit back. McLean was allowed time and space on the right flank to set up Michael Kightly who will never have an easier goal. It came to him unmarked four yards out and he waited for his moment and then blasted the ball into the net.

That got Grays tails up and got the home crowd urging their side forward.

But, despite this, they never tested Randolph and, to swing the pendulum back in Stanley's favour, Coleman telephoned Paul Cook from across the ground and threw Andy Mangan into the fray.

And the nippy forward's first touch was to charge down the left flank and whip in a cross to the unmarked Steve Jagielka who almost broke the net with his fierce volley on 63 minutes.

It was another tv special from Jagielka who did the same against Halifax last season.

Mangan celebrated wildly - but his joy was short-lived. The teenager could have no complaints with his booking for a late tackle on McLean but then, when walking back, he kicked the ball.

It was judged a second yellow and the 19-year-old was back in the dressing room just six minutes after coming on.

His team-mates felt it was harsh - especially as McLean was still on the pitch having treatment but the ref, in front of the cameras, felt he had no choice and suddenly it seemed advantage Grays.

Or it should have been.

Stanley still broke with purpose with Jagielka unlucky with a great shot which was well-saved while Barry's low 20 yard strike was also kept out. In between, John Nutter poked the ball just wide and Slabber's fierce effort was also off target.

Midfielder John Martin had caused problems with his running and there were more loud appeals for a penalty with five minutes left when he fell under a Welch tackle on the edge of the area but the ref looked at his assistant, got no response, and the Grays man did seem to be looking for it.

Randolph then pushed out a Slabber effort, who had only the keeper to beat, and a Martin free kick was headed goalwards by a Stanley player and Randolph had to finger-tip it over.

Then, in injury time as the ball bobbled around the penalty area, Slabber got there, whalloped the ball towards goal and Phil Edwards threw himself in front of it and turned it onto the crossbar and out for safety - to deny Grays the Conference unbeaten record of 16 games.

Drama to the last minute and three points - Stanley and Sky will settle for that.