TERRY Gornell wasn’t able to celebrate his first ever league goal in style.

This was because it came during the late 3-2 defeat at Bradford - a loss that was hard to take for the teenager.

But his second ever league goal will live in his memory as his winner at Luton on Saturday finally stopped the rot at Stanley and sealed an important win.

The Reds had picked up just one point from the previous 21 but on-loan Tranmere striker Gornell popped up in the 56th minute to open up a 28 point gap between the Reds and bottom placed Hatters, still on minus points due to their financial problems from last season.

And the Liverpudlian said his winner was one to savour - even if it was a more predatory five yard strike than his first which he slotted home from the edge of the area.

"The main thing was to win at Luton especially after last week," said Gornell.

"It didn’t sink in until later in the week that I had got my first league goal as the Bradford defeat was such a killer.

"I have never gone through anything like that before - to be on such a high from scoring and then experiencing such a low at losing.

"But I enjoyed the one at Luton. It was from a Paul Mullin flick-on and I was in the right place at the right time and couldn’t really miss.

"Me and Paul are starting to gel now. It doesn’t happen overnight but I am starting to get on the end of his flick-ons and he wins more than his fair share in the air and it is great for me.

"When Luton got it back to 1-1 I did fear the worst after last week but the lads have shown a lot of character and we got our rewards. I am just made up to be here and be playing first team football.

"I consider myself really lucky as some of the other lads at Tranmere are trying to go out on loan or have gone into non league.

"I have got league football and that’s two goals in two games and I am over the moon.

"Playing here will certainly make me a better player. It is a pressure job to score the goals but that’s what we get paid to do and I know I have got to deal with it."

Stanley manager John Coleman praised his entire team who did turn in a stylish performance against the bottom club.

Jimmy Ryan was again a big threat on the wing, John Miles put some dangerous balls into the box and Gornell and Paul Mullin never stopped pressing as their front partnership starts to bear fruit.

And the new look defence - with loan signing Kieran Charnock making his debut, partnering Colin Murdock - worked tirelessly especially in a frantic final 10 minutes when Luton threw everything but the proverbial kitchen sink at the Reds.

Stanley did also have keeper Kenny Arthur to thank for a stunning at the death.

"I kicked every ball off the line for the final 10 minutes," admitted a drained John Coleman, who said his side finally got that bit of luck they needed in the frantic finale.

Luton winger Wayne Andrews amazingly missed an open goal with two minutes left while Arthur stuck out his leg to deny a certain late equaliser from Asa Hall. But that was Luton’s main spell of pressure in a game the Reds really controlled.

They went ahead thanks to Paul Mullin’s first goal in eight games when he got on the end of a Ryan cross for a simple tap in - he likes those.

There wasn’t too much goalmouth action but Luton’s equaliser came from nothing.

A short throw ended with Jake Howells placing the ball into the area and Hall, with his back to goal, somehow hooked the ball into the top corner of the net before the break.

However, the Reds were determined not to throw this away and a John Mullin free kick found the head of brother Paul who flicked the ball across the goal and there was Gornell at the far post to blast home what turned out to be the winner.

The lively Luton crowd must have appealed for around four spot kicks but it would have been harsh for any to be given.

And, while Stanley couldn’t get the third, Coleman would have been proud - after the Bradford debacle last week - that his side didn’t crumble late on.

"The key to us winning was how hard the players worked," said Coleman. "They all worked their socks off and victory tastes sweeter when you have worked harder.

"It is a huge relief after our recent form. Kenny made a comment "I can start liking football again" and I agree with that.

"Football can wear you down and I knew how much last week’s loss to Bradford hurt the lads.

"We have tried to remain upbeat and positive and I did fancy us because of that and this win will have given the lads a lift.

"Terry’s work rate was magnificent and two goals in two games will do him the world of good. Kieran stuck to his task well and Kenny made a crucial save at the end which will do his confidence the world of good.

"It eases the Bradford defeat like a little bit of medicine. But we still have to remember Bradford and learn lessons from it. I thought we had forgot how to win games but we got back to it at Luton."