ACCRINGTON Stanley's odds of winning the Carling Cup are 5000-1 which is in the realms of pure fantasy - but it wouldn't be dreamland to bet against a few more happy endings to their fairytale rise up the league's.

Probably the most fervent Reds fan would have felt League One title chasers Nottingham Forest, with their history of two European Cups and four League Cup victories, wouldn't let Stanley add another glorious chapter to their own less illustrious past by beating them in their first Carling Cup clash.

But Forest manager Colin Calderwood under-estimated the League Two newboys - and they will now go down with Huddersfield and Bournemouth as victims of Stanley's giant killing acts.

And the Reds deserved to celebrate another scalp.

It is amazing to think that almost 30 years ago, Forest were celebrating the First Division title and being crowned kings of Europe.

Stanley, meanwhile, were making the switch to the Cheshire League and on course to win the Second Division title.

How the Reds have risen and Forest have fallen and it was staggering to think that two sides met at the Fraser Eagle Stadium live on Sky on a Monday evening on almost equal footing.

And for Stanley to be the victors was what Coleman has said his desire is this season - to make the nation recognise Accrington for their football ability and not the milk jokes or their resignation from the league.

And the win was no fluke. Stanley thoroughly deserved another television victory with some battling, heroic performances capped off with Paul Mullin's goal off a defender's backside - but who cares?

"We had a slice of luck with the deflection but it was a confidence boost for Paul," said Coleman.

"One of Ian Craney's friends had a 125-1 bet on Paul Mullin to score and us to win 1-0 - the drinks will be on him for a while!

"But our record on television is amazing. I think we have won eight on the spin - and it is a great run for us. I wish we could play on television every week!

"I didn't fear Forest. I always put a side out who I believe can win any game and if we play Manchester United tomorrow I would have a game plan to try and beat them.

"If you take part in a game you have got to stand up and be counted whoever you play. If you get into that mind-set, and instill that belief in the players, then they can take themselves as far as they want to."

Calderwood was shell-shocked: "I can't decide if it a set-back or a catastrophe. It is probably a set-back as we just didn't do enough but they have claimed their scalp."

The Forest chief made five changes from the side who made if four wins on the trot against Brighton on Saturday.

And they immediately looked disjointed as, within 30 seconds, a mistake let Mullin in but he somehow screwed the ball way off target.

The industrious Craney fired a long range effort narrowly wide but the best chances came just before the break.

Gary Roberts worked his way into a good position and keeper Paul Smith had to push his strike over while the goalie punched Rommy Boco's effort out.

Forest had offered little up front with Stanley not giving them any time on the ball and, when striker Spencer Weir-Daley did break through after the interval, he skied the effort with Michael Welch doing enough to put him off.

Then came the goal to savour. Rommy Boco and Mullin went for the same ball with Mullin getting the final shot, hooking the ball goalwards. It hit Danny Cullip on the rear and left Smith wrong-footed. It was the hitman's first goal of the season and didn't he enjoy it?

Calderwood then threw his big guns off the bench in striker Grant Holt, Nicky Southall and Jack Lester and then Stanley's defence were under intense pressure.

Midfielder Gary Holt's volley was tipped over by Ian Dunbavin while Welch deflected Lester's fierce strike wide.

Dunbavin then cleared off the line with his legs to deny Neil Harris as Forest forced a succession of corners to make sure everyone was biting their nails.

And then an almighty moan went up when the referee annouced five minutes of injury time. But it was the Reds who could have won it. Boco sprinted through but Smith pulled off a superb save to keep him out and managed to throw his legs in front of the rebound.

Welch then risked all when he threw his head in front of a Southall goalbound volley to send it wide with seconds left on the clock.

The Sky-watching nation saw a heroic Stanley win and it was just a shame there was only 2146 people at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. To help proud Stanley create more happy endings, fans need to come and support them.