BURY 0

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2

STANLEY boss John Coleman admitted he was "bursting with pride" after a turbulent week ended on a high.

Bobby Grant scored two goals in a league game for the first time in his career on Saturday as the Reds beat Bury for the first time in seven outings - since Stanley’s return to the Football League.

The last time the Reds beat the Shakers was 40 years ago just before the Reds went out of business.

Hopefully that’s not an omen and this result was the one Coleman’s men needed to kick start their season - and boost their bid for survival as a football club as they strive to raise a substantial part of their £308,000 tax bill by the end of October.

There was certainly a feel-good factor ahead of the game, with Bury fans willing to help Accrington’s cause after the Reds had a charity match for Bury when they were in financial trouble in 2001.

Bury and Accrington fans alike willingly dropped money into buckets and there was a lot of hand shaking and "good lucks" as the Stanley Ultras continued their collections they started in the morning in Accrington and took them to Bury raising a staggering £3,500.

While the Shakers fans were not experiencing that feel good factor after the defeat, the result did just seem the right one for the Reds who seem to thrive on hardship.

"I just felt it was going to be our day," said Coleman, whose side more-or-less picked itself due to injuries. "I said to the staff before the game that we had done it before when we were low on numbers and had YTS’s on the bench and had to battle through and the players didn’t let me down.

"I am bursting with pride - I said after the game, I felt my chest was going to burst!

"We have never beaten Bury and that’s a monkey off our backs and all the lads rallied round and got their just rewards.

"I am pleased for Bobby as he is a smashing lad. He took his first goal really well and then Michael Symes has been unselfish for the second.

"The second goal was critical. I like my strikers to score and that will do Bobby’s confidence the world of good."

The first half was largely forgettable as, while Stanley dominated possession, they couldn’t turn it into goals.

Bury, who haven’t won at home this season or scored at Gigg Lane yet, didn’t pose a major threat until the final minute of the half when one-time Stanley target Andy Bishop got the ball in the area and scuffed a shot which took a deflection and Phil Edwards had to hook clear off the line.

Bishop, returning from injury, was guilty of a couple of missed chances as the Bury fans got increasingly frustrated with their side’s lack of firepower.

Stanley, meanwhile, were a threat without testing keeper Wayne Brown with John Miles having a lively game and Symes and Grant working hard up front.

The game sprung to life after the break with no love lost out on the pitch with some meaty challenges from both sides in a feisty derby.

But the main worry came when Stanley defenders Edwards and Tom Lees clashed heads and Edwards eventually had to come off with concussion.

But, instead of disjointing the visitors, it seemed to spur them on and step forward Grant for what must be the best moments of his career so far.

He has had a tough time swith injury since he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old but, fingers-crossed, this could be his season.

With seven minutes left, his clever flick lofted the ball into the danger area and he followed it, caught Brown and defender Ben Futcher dallying and nipped in to get a vital touch over the keeper and into the goal.

The Stanley fans were still celebrating behind the goal when an Efe Sodje clearance was charged down by Symes, he raced forward onto the ball and squared nicely for Grant to side foot home number two.

He hit his chest as he emphasised his boss’s words - a proud day for everyone connected with Stanley.