Accrington pulled off a surprise 2-0 win over a disappointed and demoralised Port Vale.

Craney and Mullin secure away win

Accrington pulled off a surprise 2-0 win over a disappointed and demoralised Port Vale. Vale defender John McCombe fouled Paul Mullin 25 yards from goal, and Ian Craney curled the resulting free-kick low inside Joe Anyon's left-hand post to put Stanley ahead after just two minutes. The home side attempted to find a way back but Louis Dodds and Marc Richards were unable to find the target as Accrington defended well and grew in confidence. Stanley almost doubled their advantage when on-loan Blackburn striker Jamie Clarke's attempt was deflected wide just before the break. The visitors were comfortably the better side in the second-half and Clarke was close to a second when his 25-yard thunderbolt struck a post in the 65th minute. Stanley finally wrapped up their victory in style in the last minute as Mullin strode unchallenged into the Vale penalty area and netted a delightful chip over a stranded Anyon.