A lot of the pre-match talk was of Bury snapping up Manchester United striker Nicky Ajose until the rest of the season, and what a coup that was.

Well, Reds manager John Coleman will want to stake a claim that his loan signings might not have come from as illustrious a club but are just as important.

While Ajose’s pace and threat was largely snuffed out by a solid defensive show from the Stanley backline, it was the Reds own loan man who shone.

Joe Jacobson, like Ajose, had signed this week until the end of the season at the Crown Ground and, while the Stanley fans were pleased, there was little hoo-ha about it, unlike United starlet Ajose who is tipped for big things.

But it was Oldham man Jacobson who made the difference and sent Ajose and co back to Gigg Lane pointless.

The left back last scored a goal in August 2007 but sneaked in unnoticed, going up for a rare corner, to head home 13 minutes from time for a vital victory for the Reds.

"The gaffer told me to go up for the corner and I just saw a bit of space and I ran in and luckily for me, the ball went in the net," said the 24-year-old.

"I didn't know what to do to celebrate as it’s been that long. I just put my hand in the air but it’s extra special to score the winner."

Coleman admitted that it wasn’t planned for Jacobson to go up for corners – but it was a gamble which paid off.

"Everyone around the bench will know I sent Joe Jacobson up for that corner as Kevin¿Long was feeling a knock and we needed another body in the box," said the Reds chief.

"I thought we were better keeping Dean Winnard back for his pace and Joe went in under the radar and it’s a great finish by him.

"To be fair to Joe, he has had a good game all-round, he has defended fantastically and kept a clean sheet."

It was what Stanley deserved against a side who were in the automatic promotion spots not so long ago and who had beat the Reds 3-0 at Gigg Lane in October – although Coleman’s side ended the game with nine men.

Stanley got a foothold in the Saturday’s match after 15 minutes and then it was Bury keeper Cameron Belford who kept them out with a series of superb saves from Terry Gornell, Sean McConville and a near post one from Jimmy Ryan.

Ryan also stung the stopper’s hands with a free kick as Bury mustered little in attack.

Top scorer Ryan Lowe, usually so prolific against Stanley with six goals in his seven games against them, didn’t have a single chance of note as the Reds didn’t let him – something Bury assistant Chris Brass said Stanley deserved a lot of credit for.

"We didn’t play with the commitment and effort we should have but you have got to give Accrington credit too for stopping us and they played well," said former Burnley player Brass.

Cole-man was just glad that his side are now getting some recogntion.

After throwing some games away and being in the wrong half of the table for the last couple of months, they are slowly climbing up it.

"I think most teams in the league realise we are a good side, it’s just sometimes we do ridiculous things and beat ourselves," said the Reds boss.

"We have in the past but thankfully we didn’t on Saturday."

Goal hero Jacobson admitted the New Year period had given the side a huge lift with two wins and a draw.

"These three games – Morecambe, Chesterfield and Bury – they have all been difficult and people would have been looking at us and saying we would struggle to get points.

"So to get seven points out of it shows what we are capable of and we have got to push on and finish as high as we can.

"The gaffer had said we owe Bury one, I obviously wasn’t here when they beat us but the boys said it wasn’t the best performance and it’s good we can put that right."

Alan Knill’s side came to the Crown Ground on the back of an indifferent run which had seen them drop from the top three and now down to sixth, although still well placed for their promotion push.

And, while the game wasn’t a classic, the fact Stanley battled hard for three points – and held on until the end after conceding two goals in the final minutes against Chesterfield – was a huge boost for Coleman.

"To be honest, I am delighted for the lads.

"No one felt it more than them after the Chesterfield game.

"I know I spat my dummy out after the game but I was so disappointed for the players and now I am so delighted for them.

"We have worked on things in training, they took everything we said on board and, the pleasing thing is, we conceded a free kick in the last minute as we did against Chesterfield – which they scored from – but this time we defended it and defended it really well.

"We were good value for the win. Bury are a good side and we knew it would be a formidable game but we deserved it."

Jacobson has extended his loan until January 29 and admitted the Crown Ground is beginning to feel more like home.

"I have enjoyed my time here, the fans have been great with me and the boys have been playing some great stuff. I have not seen anything like it in this division.

"I had the chance to play a few more games and I have jumped at it. I had offers to go elsewhere but I am happy here."

And, if the Reds keep getting results, he will make his manager even happier.