Accrington Stanley Paper View (h)

Watford scrape shoot-out win

Accrington Stanley were denied a deserved place in the third round of the Carling Cup only by a penalty shoot-out at Vicarage Road last night.

Having gone out of existence in 1962, the reformed club returned to the Football League earlier this year, and having earlier knocked out former European Cup winners Nottingham Forest 1-0, they were denied a Premiership scalp only by Watford's goalkeeper, Richard Lee, in the sudden-death drama.

Just before the end of 120 goalless minutes, John Coleman, Accrington's manager, surprisingly replaced Ian Dunbavin, their impressive goalkeeper, with Rob Elliot, on loan from Charlton. Dunbavin, who had made some impressive late saves to deny Watford's youngsters, looked surprised. Having seen his replacement, said to be a penalty specialist, fail to save any of the seven kicks he faced, Dunbavin will be understandably peeved.

Elliot had not even touched the ball when the shoot-out began and, after both teams scored their first five penalties, Peter Cavanagh, Accrington's captain, saw his effort saved by Lee. 

Watford's James Chambers then proceeded to strike the woodwork, but after Lee saved from Paul Mullin, Anthony McNamee converted the decisive kick. Daily Telegraph

Coleman lets rip at his captain after Accrington pay penalty

JOHN COLEMAN must be a tough man to work for. After watching his Coca-Cola League Two team come agonisingly close to beating a Barclays Premiership side for the first time, all the Accrington Stanley manager could think of was his side's penultimate kick in a thrilling penalty shoot-out that they were unlucky to lose.

When Peter Cavanagh stepped up to the spot, the scores were level at 5-5 and the Nationwide Conference champions' supporters were still dreaming of playing in the third round. Their captain's tame penalty brought them back down to earth and their fate was sealed when Paul Mullin's effort was saved by Richard Lee minutes later.

“I have told my captain what I think of his penalty so I don't mind repeating myself,” the Accrington manager said. “It was an absolutely shocking penalty when so much was at stake. We've stayed in a five-star hotel, but it's been a waste of time because I am going home a loser.”

For large periods of the match Accrington looked as if they would give him something to smile about. They may have been up against a Watford reserve team, with 11 players rested, but their effort and workrate could not be faulted.

Having matched their opponents for 120 minutes, Gary Roberts, Romauld Boco, Ian Craney, Andrew Todd and Andrew Proctor made no mistake from the spot but then came the sting in the tail.

“We like to give our supporters value for money,” Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, said. “Our squad is not big enough for me to play the same side in every game — it was a decision based on the size of my squad not the quality of the opposition.” The Times