IAN Craney's goal tally for the season will depend very much on who you speak to.

Before Saturday's home game with Cambridge United, the club records stated that he was on nine.

He would argue that he had already hit double figures with Stanley's first goal at Carshalton in the FA Trophy second round the week before.

Paul Mullin, however, would disagree, for he insists he got his head to the Reds' second against Woking earlier in the campaign, from a free kick Craney swung in.

The debate will probably rumble on all season and beyond.

But when you see Stanley eight points clear at the top of the Conference and having the potential to achieve a 14-point cushion depending on their result at Exeter on Monday - and that of their game in hand on the St James' Park outfit - it's unlikely either of them will care too much about the finer details.

What matters is Craney definitely did score last Saturday to send the U's home with nothing to show for their gutsy display and salvage the record of scoring in every game this season when that had looked under serious threat.

It is testament to how far Stanley have come this season that Rob Newman, the manager of a side that was only relegated from the Football League last term, remained proud of his players in defeat.

And he was full of praise for the Conference leaders.

"Accrington are a very good side. I'm very proud of the team because we came here against a side who were six points clear at the top and I thought we thoroughly matched them," said Norman.

"I think we deserved something out of the game.

"We were getting into the positions and delivering decent crosses but you've got to score the goals.

"We've got to be mentally strong for 90 minutes but a couple of lapses in concentration cost us."

The second lapse was for the goal, in which Craney controlled Mullin's through ball, the keeper came off his line but Craney managed to get past him and slot the ball into an empty net.

Before that, Stanley should have scored from the spot after Dan Gleeson hauled down substitute Andy Mangan about eight yards out.

But Peter Cavanagh may find himself relinquished from penalty taking duties after missing his second in as many games.

Manager John Coleman later admitted he couldn't find much fault with his captain's strike, but Cavanagh was denied by Scott Howie's two-handed save.

And this time Mullin was unable to provide a follow up as the Cambridge goalkeeper tipped the ball round the post.

Before that, Cambridge had made their hosts look a shadow of themselves in a disappointing first half.

Stanley struggled to string any attacking moves together as the visitors bossed proceedings.

Reds fans would have been forgiven for having flashbacks to the defeat at Cambridge earlier this season - one of only four that Stanley have suffered all campaign.

Then, after a bright start, John Coleman's men came unstuck by loan goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu's howler before struggling to recover from him parrying the ball into his own net from what looked a comfortable save.

Ironically, on Saturday, current stopper Rob Elliot wasn't having his best performance in a Stanley shirt either, but nothing compared with Bossu's mistake. Elliot still managed to keep Cambridge at bay.

Striker Craig Westcarr was proving to be a real handful for the Stanley rearguard, but on the occasions he did break forward, Robbie Williams matched him for pace to lessen the threat.

Dan Gleeson caught Elliot off guard with a low 25-yard drive midway through the first half but the Stanley managed to claim the ball at the second attempt.

He then slid out to stop Westcarr in his tracks as he received a left-wing delivery inside the area.

At the other end, David Brown had a chance after linking with Mullin but his overhead volley dipped over the bar.

Cambridge got forward again but Stanley's central defence pairing of Michael Welch and Williams did enough deny them a real chance at goal.

Coleman had clearly been eager to get his side back into the dressing room to dish out some verbal punishment.

Harsh words were said, and heeded, as, in the second half, Stanley were back to their old selves.

Phil Edwards set the precedent as he robbed Trevor Robinson of possession inside the Cambridge box and brought Howie's first save with a good strike.

United threatened briefly but Peter Cavanagh covered well to stop Westcarr bursting through.

But the tables were turning and Stanley were getting on top.

Gary Roberts was unlucky to volley over from 20 yards before striking the wall from a free kick when David Brown was brought down.

Brown then made way for substitute Andy Mangan, who had a massive impact on the game as he baffled a tiring Cambridge defence with his pace and energy.

And just six minutes after his introduction, he was dragged back in the area by Gleeson, who was booked.

Howie came to Cambridge's rescue. But minutes later, Craney came to Stanley's rescue before Coleman's men saw out the game confidently and might have had more with Romuald Boco, Mullin and Mangan having chances.

Howie gave Stanley a scare as he sprinted up for a couple of late corners.

But it was Craney's goal that mattered.