Accrington Stanley 3 : 2 Tranmere Rovers - Naismith gives Stanley first win

Posted Sunday, September 07, 2014 by PA

Kal Naismith scored a late winner to give Accrington their first victory of the season in a 3-2 triumph over Tranmere.

James Beattie's side, who did not win a league game until the 13th time of asking last season, moved off the base of the Football League as a result.

The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute after defender Janoi Donacien clipped Naismith in the penalty area. Striker James Gray fired home the spot-kick despite debutant keeper Peter Brezovan getting a hand to it.

Stanley held on until half-time but Rovers boss Rob Edwards must have given his side a blast at the break as, just a minute after the restart, Tranmere equalised. Max Power's through ball caught the home defence static and Abdulai Bell-Baggie was clean through, slotting through keeper Joe Lumley's legs.

Rovers upped their game and Bell-Baggie was the driving force, putting them ahead with 20 minutes to go. Stanley lost the ball in midfield and Eliot Richards played the ball through to Bell-Baggie, and he once again beat the off-side trap and rounded the keeper to slot home his second of the afternoon.

However, Accrington then turned the game around in four minutes. With 12 minutes to go a ball into the box was flicked on by Marcus Carver and Gray pounced at the far post just six yards out to restore parity.

Then, eight minutes from the end, Adam Buxton's fierce drive could only be pushed into the path of Naismith and he slotted home a much-needed winner for Beattie - although Tranmere almost left with a point as Jason Koumas did hit the woodwork in injury time.