Accrington Stanley vs Salford City; Sky Bet League Two
Accrington Stanley vs Salford City. Sky Bet League Two.
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Accrington 1-0 Salford: Alex Henderson sinks the Ammies to give Stanley a third successive win
Alex Henderson's wondergoal gave Accrington Stanley a 1-0 win over Salford in League Two; the Ammies miss out on the chance to move to second in the table with the defeat; Stanley held on to make it three wins on the bounce.
Thursday 5 February 2026 22:56, UK
Alex Henderson scored a wondergoal for Accrington to seal a 1-0 win and deny Salford the chance to go second in Sky Bet League Two.
Stanley made it three wins in a row and moved into the top half of the table while the Ammies remain in fifth spot.
Stanley started in style with Accrington-born Henderson hitting the ball perfectly from the edge of the area to find the top of the net in the fourth minute.
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Ryan Graydon had a couple of efforts for the Ammies but Ollie Wright denied him.
The home side had the wind advantage and both Conor Grant and Shaun Whalley tested City keeper Matthew Young from long range.
Salford had the wind at the backs for the second half as they looked for an equaliser.
Jorge Grant forced an early save out of Wright while the Stanley goalkeeper also pushed away a low Luke Garbutt free-kick.
However, Stanley had a chance to make the game safe with Devon Matthews stabbing wide.
Salford boss Karl Robinson made changes to his front line but Stanley defended resolutely, Wright superbly keeping out Daniel Udoh with four minutes remaining.
'One of those nights'
Salford City boss Karl Robinson:
"Only the result matters, no matter how well you play or how many chances you create.
"It was a wonder strike but, if you look at the XG, look at the chances created, the duels, we were the top in most aspects of the game.
"We missed three really good opportunities and you could sense it was going to be one of those nights, the longer the game went on.
"It wasn't lack of effort, maybe a lack of quality in the final third. I don't think they challenged our goal after their goal and we challenged quite a lot but you get those games and you have to dust yourselves down and go again.
"We did force errors and create opportunities but we didn't take them. It doesn't matter how many excuses I throw out there, we didn't take our chances and we let them score a goal in the fourth minute that was our own undoing.
"We need positivity, we need to bounce back. That's just two defeats in 13 in the league games, we are not doing too badly.
"We have brought in some good players in the window but they are young and we have to make sure that, even through difficult moments like tonight, we become better."
'Accrington have momentum'
Accrington Stanley boss John Doolan:
"It was always going to be a tough night with the elements and with Salford riding high, they are a good side.
"We knew the challenge but we had belief. Our mentality has changed, we have momentum. You can see the confidence.
"Alex has scored a worldie of a goal, in front of the home fans, live on Sky and I am so happy for him. It was an outstanding finish.
"Then we showed character and resilience to keep the ball out of the back of the net as a team and individuals, it was brilliant.
"We have defended resolutely and I am so happy with the performance and the three points.
"We are looking up now and we have to keep going and see where it takes us. We know what we have in the dressing room, the belief and togetherness, and they showed it in abundance tonight."
