Accrington Stanley lost the penalty shoot-out at League Two Salford City in the second group game of the Papa Johns Trophy.

It was 0-0 after 90 minutes but Toby Savin and Dan Martin both had their spot kicks saved to give the Ammies a 4-2 penalty win and the bonus point.

It means Stanley are third in the group, behind Rochdale and Salford, after also drawing their first game but winning the penalty shoot-out against Dale.

They now play Liverpool Under 21s in the final group game – they have lost both their games so far.

Experienced striker Nathan Delfounso got the nod to start after signing a short-term deal with the Reds this week while left back Bailey Sloane also made his full Stanley debut.

John Coleman made eight changes from the side which overcame Cheltenham 1-0 with Salford also making changes.

There were few chances in the first half.

The first shot came from Mo Sangare on nine minutes which was easy for keeper Jacob Chapman while, for the Ammies, Kevin Berkoe fired wide and Lorent Tolaj drove the ball just over the crossbar.

Ethan Hamilton’s strike was easy for Chapman while Salford had a great opportunity when Berkoe found Odin Bailey in the box but he fired over the crossbar – the best chance of the half.

Delfounso had an opportunity from close range but couldn’t find the target while a Matt Smith header was easy for Toby Savin.

After the break, Hamilton fired into the side netting after good build-up play from the Reds before Coleman brought on the more experienced Shaun Whalley, Mitch Clark and Joe Pritchard on 56 minutes.

Pritchard made an impact within seconds, Chapman denying him with his legs, but minutes later the injury jinx struck again with Doug Tharme going off injured, replaced by Sean McConville for his 400^th Stanley appearance.

The Reds were more creative but were unable to test Chapman until a frantic final 12 minutes.

At one end, on 78 minutes, Toby Savin denied Callum Hendry as the ball bounced dangerously around the area before the Stanley keeper finger-tipped over a shot from Tolaj.

Then Sloane was denied twice by Chapman at point blank range as the ball bounced around at the other end with Stanley looking for the winner.

There was a danger when Salford broke quickly with three players to Stanley’s two but Baba Fernandes got back to cover.

In seven minutes of added time, Savin was once again in the action, denying Tolaj and saving close range from Berkoe.

And so to penalties and Savin took the first penalty, blasting it and Chapman did well to deny him before Matt Smith put Salford ahead.

McConville scored to put the Reds level before Hendry put City back ahead 2-1.

Stanley captain Liam Coyle made no mistake with a powerful spot kick before Tolaj tucked his into the corner for 3-2 to Salford.

Dan Martin’s penalty was saved by Chapman and Ethan Galbraith scored the winner to give Salford the penalty win.

Stanley: Savin, Sloane (Nolan), Astley, Fernandes, Tharme (McConville), Perritt (Clark), Coyle, Martin, Hamilton, Sangare (Whalley), Delfounso (Pritchard)

Subs: Isherwood, Conneely

Attendance: 722

Yellow: Tharme, Sloane, Clark