Cheltenham Town 3 - 0 Accrington Stanley: Second-half show helps Cheltenham see off relegation rivals Accrington

Posted Sunday, January 15, 2017 by PA

Captain Danny Wright broke the deadlock in a tight and nervy contest to inspire Cheltenham to a 3-0 victory over relegation rivals Accrington.

Chances were at a premium until Wright guided a looping header back across goal and over debutant keeper Marek Rodak from Danny O'Shaughnessy's chipped ball 10 minutes into the second half.

From there, it all fell apart for Stanley. Unmarked defender Mark Hughes hit the Cheltenham crossbar from six yards with the goal gaping before midfielder Scott Brown was harshly sent off for halting the run of Billy Waters on the halfway line.

Substitute Shay McCartan skied a close-range effort for the 10 men and within seven minutes, a blunder at the back made the game safe for the Robins.

James Rowe's raking pass found Waters on the right and his cross was passed back into the arms of Rodak by Accrington defender Omar Beckles to concede a close-range free-kick. Despite Stanley packing the goalmouth, Carl Winchester touched the ball to Diego De Girolamo to drill home from six yards.

Waters then nudged Rowe's floated ball past the advancing Rodak to seal the points with 12 minutes to play.