Accrington Stanley suffered a 3-1 loss to in-form Stockport County at the Wham Stadium.

The Hatters, who have now won four games on the bounce, scored twice in the first half before adding a third after the break.

Jack Nolan scored with a 20-yard low strike on 86 minutes and the Reds applied late pressure but they slipped to below mid-table in the League with the loss.

John Coleman made four changes with Toby Savin injured and Jay Rich-Baghuelou suspended with Dan Martin and Seb Quirk dropping to the bench.

It meant a debut for Norwich loan keeper Jon McCracken and Ben Woods made his first full start for the Reds in League Two.

Stanley forced the early pressure but the best chance in the opening eight minutes fell to Antoni Sarcevic who headed over for County.

McCracken was forced into his first real save on nine minutes when he parried away a fierce shot from Louie Barry.

County opened the scoring on 12 minutes when the ball was fed to Tanto Olaofe on the edge of the area and he drilled it into the bottom corner of the net.

It was two on 16 minutes when Sarcevic’s through ball found Will Collar who raced free with only McCracken to beat and he fired it low into the net.

Woods had an effort deflected off-target for Stanley while Barry volleyed wide in a good position as he looked to make it three for County.

Joe Pritchard had a deflected effort at the end of the half but it was comfortable for keeper Ben Hinchliffe.

Coleman made a triple substitution at the break bringing on Aaron Pickles, Seb Quirk and Josh Woods.

But Quirk lasted a matter of minutes before being injured in a challenge and was replaced by frontman Matt Lowe.

Stanley came out attacking into the Farleys Clayton End with Shaun Whalley and Josh Woods combining before the ball fell to Pritchard but he couldn’t get a clear shot on goal.

County were awarded a penalty on 59 minutes when Bailey was judged to have been pushed in the area and Barry sent McCracken the wrong way from the spot.

Sarcevic fired wide just after while, on 75 minutes, Josh Andrews couldn’t get enough power on a header to test keeper Hinchliffe.

Nolan fired home from 20 yards on 86 minutes to give the Reds a late lifeline and Rosaire Longelo had a long range strike tipped onto the woodwork in added time.

It was a grandstand finish from Stanley as they forced a number of corners but they couldn't find another way through.

Stanley: McCracken, Shipley (J Woods), Hills, Gubbins (Pickles) Mellor (Quirk, (Lowe) Whalley (Nolan), B Woods, Pritchard, Longelo, Leigh, Andrews

Subs: McIntyre, Martin

Yellow: Pritchard

Attendance: 3913 (1901 from County)