Match Report: Salford City beaten by Accrington Stanley 2-1

Salford City suffered against a strong Accrington Stanley side in a 2-1 defeat at the Peninsula Stadium.

Neil Wood kept his side unchanged from the 4-3 win at Tranmere Rovers, as they looked to build upon that chaotic win away at Prenton Park.

The Ammies started the match on the back foot, constantly forced into playing round the back, with Curtis Tilt making a series of clearances.

Salford City v Accrington Stanley. Credit: Lewis Gray

Accrington kept the pressure on, and it paid off as Rosaire Longelo intercepted a loose ball inside Salford’s own half. He played it onwards and Tommy Leigh drove a ball into the path of Shaun Walley who confidently placed the ball in the left corner of Alex Cairns’ goal from the edge of the box.

Stanley continued to be relentless, and got their second on the stroke of half-time, with Liam Shepard’s pass to Theo Vassell being intercepted by Josh Andrews, whose first shot slipped under Cairns’ body and second trickled in.

Salford chances were few and far between, the best being Callum Hendry’s effort in the area rattling the bar of Toby Savin’s net and out of play seconds after Andrews’ goal.

The second half started much in the same way as the first ended, with Accrington firmly the better side.

Stanley should have made it 3 after goal-scorer Whalley drilled his free kick onto the head of Brad Hills, coming off the bar and out.

Aaron Pickles had yet another chance to put Accrington out of sight, but his point-blank effort was brilliantly saved by Cairns.

Neil Wood made changes, bringing Ryan Watson and Ossama Ashley amongst others on, and the tide shifted to the Ammies’ favour.

A shift to 4-4-2 helped bring Salford some hope, with the aerial threats of Smith, Hendry and Marcus Dackers troubling the Stanley backline.

But their defence remained strong until Matt Smith was fouled in the box, giving Ryan Watson his first goal of the season from the spot, and giving Salford five minutes to get an equaliser.