Accrington Stanley suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra as John Coleman’s side exit this season’s Emirates FA Cup in the first round.

The visitors took the lead in first half injury time through Charlie Kirk, with the second half then being delayed for an hour due to injuries to the match officials.

Referee Neil Hair had already been replaced before the break, with replacement Alan Clayton then withdrawing through injury at half-time.

After a delay of an hour, the game eventually got back underway with just one assistant referee.

Following the lengthy stoppage, the visitors were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes as Seamus Conneely dived in with a late challenge and Chris Porter fired the resulting spotkick into the back of the net.

Things got worse for Stanley just 10 minutes later as Mark Hughes received a red card as he was the last man when he brought down Owen Dale.

Crewe dominated the first half with Stanley's best chance falling to Jerome Opoku as the defender saw his effort crash back off the crossbar, with Kirk then opening the scoring a minute later.

The Reds gave it their all once the game eventually got back underway but Porter's penalty all but sealed the win for David Artell's side.

Stanley striker Dion Charles had an excellent chance to pull a goal back on 76 minutes but the substitute took too long with his shot and the danger was then cleared, with Hughes then receiving a red card a minute later.

Next up for Coleman's side is an away trip to face Rotherham United on Saturday 16th November, 3pm kick-off.