STANLEY's post-match celebrations showed just what this victory meant to James Beattie’s men.

Kayode Odejayi had pounced in first-half stoppage time to break the deadlock on Saturday and the Reds’ lead remained intact going into the closing stages.

With Exeter managing to mount some late pressure, it made for a nervy finish. But the final whistle sparked jubilant scenes amongst the Accy players, with several punching the air before the team went to celebrate with the 71 fans who made the long trip to the south coast.

There were some boos from the 3,000 home fans, reflecting their frustration after Stanley had produced another fine away performance.

It was the Reds’ eighth win from 22 away games this term but this one sent them above Exeter into 14th, opening up a nine-point gap between themselves and the drop zone.

And not only were the Grecians one of their relegation rivals but they came into the game in good form. Paul Tisdale’s men had claimed crucial wins in their previous two games and went close early on, with Eliot Richards having a shot blocked by Will Hatfield.

But Stanley, unchanged from the 0-0 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge in midweek, then got a foothold in the game and Hatfield cut in from the right before hitting his shot well off target.

Lee Molyneux delivered a free-kick into the Exeter box and Artur Krysiak  could only palm the ball into the air, with defender Danny Coles on hand to hack it clear.

The hosts spurned a great chance on 22 minutes when Scot Bennett headed down Craig Woodman’s corner and from just six yards out, Coles sent a free header too close to Marcus Bettinelli.

The Reds then finished the half on top, with full-back Adam Buxton firing narrowly wide from 20 yards after a good passing move which also involved Molyneux, James Gray and Odejayi.

Another Odejayi lay-off saw Molyneux hit a 25-yard strike wide before Hatfield had a shot blocked while Gray fired too close to Krysiak.

But Stanley took the lead on the stroke of half-time following Molyneux’s inswinging corner from the right. Krysiak again misjudged the flight of the ball and didn’t even manage to lay a glove on it this time. The ball went over his arm, rebounding off a defender, and from inside a packed six-yard box, Odejayi stuck out a foot to poke it in from two yards.

His relief was clear to see as he celebrated his first goal in 15 games - and the first by any Stanley striker since George Bowerman’s at Cheltenham on January 18.

Exeter improved after the break and  Jordan Moore-Taylor headed wide from Danny Butterfield’s right-wing cross.

The young defender almost scored at the other end moments later though after a wayward header back to Krysiak, who

managed to race back towards his own goal and claw it to safety.

Although Exeter were getting into the final third, the Stanley defence was restricting them to long-range efforts and hopeful balls into the box.

Bennett sent a 20-yard effort wide and after Richards’ shot was blocked by Dean Winnard, Tom Nichols fired over.

Peter Murphy had a good chance to double Stanley’s lead on 72 minutes as he latched onto Bettinelli’s free-kick, his first touch taking him inside the Exeter box, only to volley narrowly wide from 16 yards.

Substitute Sam Parkin caused the Accy defence some problems and the much-travelled striker headed over from Butterfield’s cross before volleying over after linking well with Bennett in the box.

Parkin’s flick was then bravely taken by Bettinelli under pressure from Bennett before Parkin won a free-kick on the edge of the ‘D’ in the last minute of normal time. Liam Sercombe steadied himself but blazed over and Stanley saw out the  three minutes of added time to secure a valuable victory.

Stanley: Bettinelli 8, Hunt 8, Aldred 8, Winnard 8, Buxton 7 (Liddle 46, 7), Hatfield 7 (Mingoia 54, 7), Joyce 7, Murphy 7, Molyneux 7, Odejayi 8 (Windass 84), Gray 7. Subs: Atkinson, Bowerman, Naismith, Webber.