ACCRINGTON 2
ROCHDALE 1

EVEN if he doesn't stay, Nigerian Abel Ighofose will be well thought of for putting a smile on the face of the Accrington Stanley faithful.

The trialist scored a wonder goal from 20 yards and his little dance that followed had most of the 912 crowd laughing with him.

Boss John Coleman said: "It was a difficult ball to react to and he took his goal well. It is the first time I have seen him in a game and it is always nice to score and win.''

Ighofose got the ball after a free kick richocheted off the wall and hit it first-time low into the corner of the net.

While the 20-year-old was working his magic at one end, though, Coleman was running the rule over another trialist, goalkeeper Matthew Parry.

The 20-year-old former Welsh under-18 international was a regular with Liverpool reserves and played 15 matches for Northwich Victoria last season. He came in for the full game as Coleman looks to give Jamie Speare a rival for the number one jersey.

Coleman said: "I wanted to have a look at him and he had hardly anything to do! He was a virtual spectator apart from a couple of catches and that is what I didn't want really.''

Parry could do little about Rochdale's opener - a 30-yard scorcher from Patrick McCourt in the 22nd minute. But a minute after the interval a Rory Prendergast free kick found the head of former Dale player Andy Gouck who made it 1-1. And then came the Nigerian's moment in the 67th minute.

The PA announcer had given up trying to pronounce the youngster's name when he came on as a sub and, although delighted with the goal, was reduced to saying: "Abel's scored!''

His hugs with Lutel James and celebration of the goal showed how much players do want to make it into the Reds' starting line-up.

Another man Coleman was impressed with was experienced striker John Durnin. The 37-year-old Liverpudlian lists West Brom, Oxford, who bought him for £225,000, and Portsmouth, who he cost £200,000, among his former clubs.

He linked up well with Lutel James up front in the absence of the unavailable Paul Mullin.

The manager said: "John did well, I was pleased with him. He has looked after himself, has a good touch, has the experience and was unlucky not to get a goal. I will have another look at him. We have four strikers at the club at the moment and perhaps we could do with another.

"We were lucky to get away last season with just the two but I can't see us being lucky enough to do it again. But we will have a look at the situation over the next few weeks.''