John Coleman praises Accrington spirit - 7M sport

John Coleman praises Accrington spirit



Posted Sunday, September 08, 2019 by PA

John Coleman praises Accrington spirit

John Coleman praised the spirit of his Accrington team after they played most of the second half against Bristol Rovers with 10 men and earned a 3-3 draw.

Seamus Conneely was dismissed after 49 minutes, pulling back Tom Nichols to earn a second yellow card.

Rovers led early when Alex Rodman fired home from Ollie Clarke’s cross but Jordan Clark levelled after 18 minutes with a low drive.

Two minutes later Sam Finley shot home for Stanley and it was 2-2 after 41 minutes as Jonson Clarke-Harris fired the hosts level from 15 yards.

Clarke-Harris’ produced a spectacular overhead kick to put Rovers in front after 63 minutes, but Dion Charles equalised with a 77th-minute penalty after being fouled by Josh Hare.

Coleman said: “The game was a fabulous advert for League One football. We showed a lot of character after the sending-off because we never stopped trying to win the game.

“It would have been easy to try and sit back and protect a 2-2 scoreline. But instead we went three at the back and kept playing our brand of football, which is easy on the eye.

“We thought Seamus’s first booking was harsh, but if you are on a yellow card and you pull someone back there is only going to be one outcome.

“There was passion in both dug-outs and on the pitch, but not a moment of malice. Our fans travel a long way to watch us and today the players have rewarded that loyalty.

“You just had to stand back and admire Rovers’ third goal. Both sides have looked to entertain this afternoon and I’m happy enough with a point.”

Referee Neil Hair took a blow in the face near the end and had to be replaced by an assistant. Rovers substitute Kyle Bennett hit the crossbar during nine minutes of injury time.

Home boss Graham Coughlan said: “John Coleman will have enjoyed the game more than me. It feels like a defeat to be honest and we weren’t quite on our game today.

“It looked like Accrington had the extra man in the second half, not us. I was impressed with the brave way they played, while we seemed to be going route one too much.

“But let’s keep things in perspective because we don’t usually make silly errors and concede three goals. The lads have been great and I am not going to have a go at them.

“Just like last week we had chances to win the game and didn’t take them. But Accrington were always dangerous on the counter-attack.

“At 3-2 up we should have grabbed the win and admitted we were not at our best, It didn’t happen and, despite a spectacular goal from Jonson, we have ended up disappointed in the dressing room.”

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