Stanley skipper Andy Procter was impressed with the Reds show against Premier new boys Blackpool in the Joma Southwest Challenge Cup.

The clash was always going to be a big test for the Reds but they came through with flying colours despite the 2-1 loss on Tuesday.

Jimmy Ryan scored a free-kick for the Reds but goals from former Stanley striker Brett Ormerod and Keith Southern gave Ian Holloway’s team the victory.

"It was a good test for us and we were unlucky," said the Stanley captain. "We were using a new formation in 4-2-3-1 and it worked well.

"Craig Lindfield was up front on his own, then me and Luke Joyce, then Jimmy Ryan, Sean McConville and trialist Ray Putterill and, at the back, Dean Winnard, Phil Edwards, Sean Hessey and trialist Jonathan Bateson.

"Blackpool played most of the team which won the play-off final and, to be honest, with Sean and Ray we were really creative and should have had more than our one goal."

It did get a bit spicey with a scuffle breaking out but Procter said it all calmed down.

"There were a few late tackles and then Sean Hessey and Brett Ormerod jumped together and it ended up with a few players involved. It was handbags to be honest – just healthy competition."

Blackpool opened the scoring inside four minutes when striker Ormerod, who Stanley sold to Blackpool for £50,000 originally in 1996, found himself in space and slotted home past Ian Dunbavin.

However the Reds were back in it when Ryan, who has looked strong in pre-season, produced one of his free-kick specials, finding the top of the net from 30 yards out.

Both teams worked hard with some harsh tackles flying in, especially from ex-Liverpool trainee Putterill who has earned himself a Reds contract.

Joyce came close but the Seasiders scored what turned out to be the winner on the stroke of half-time when Keith Southern made no mistake with a free header.

The day after the Reds played non-league Bideford Town and got a good start when former Liverpool trainee Putterill scored an early goal before Town equalised soon after.

The League Two side retook the lead when a Chris Turner cross found another trialist Michael Jukes, formerly of Wigan, who made it 2-1.

Turner was replaced by Sean McConville and the frontman immediately made his mark by making it 3-1 before Bideford again came back.

However, in a late rally, McConville got his second of the game before experienced winger Andy Parkinson nutmegged the defender and chipped over the keeper to round off the scoring.

SQUAD: Ian Dunbavin, Jonathan Bateson, Dean Winnard, Phil Edwards, Sean Hessey, Andy Procter, Luke Joyce, Jimmy Ryan, Craig Lindfield, Ray Putterill, Sean McConville, Alex Cisak, Rory Boulding, Michael Jukes, Peter Murphy, Matty Brown, Andy Parkinson, Zak Riley, Leam Richardson, Chris Turner, Michael Hall.