A 14th-minute long-range Alfie Henderson strike and two second half goals from Salford City full-back Ethan Smith and striker Djavan Pedro ended Accrington Stanley's Youth Alliance League title hopes as Ged Brannan and Scott Rogers' Under-18s side suffered a 3-0 home defeat to The Ammies, with Neal Eardley's Blackpool now holding an unassailable five-point lead at the top of the table.

Having faced Preston North End in this season's Lancashire FA Youth Cup final less than 48 hours earlier, midfielder Brandon Gough and defender Jake Young returned to the starting XI at the Stanley Sports Hub.

Max Clayton was forced into an early save, with the 18-year-old doing well to deny Smith on six minutes.

Winger Lewis Trickett, who has scored eight times for the Under-18s in 2022/23, then tried his luck at goal; but the Northern Ireland youth international's long-range effort was dealt with comfortably by James Carr.

The game's opener came a minute before the quarter-hour mark when Henderson was allowed to take aim from the edge of the box, and the right-back fired his long-range shot past Clayton and into the top corner.

Salford kept asking questions of Stanley's defence, but Pedro could only drag his effort wide of the far post.

The Reds grew into the game after the half-time break; with midfielder Emerich Poilly, who was making his 40th appearance for the Under-18s and Under-23s in 2022/23, narrowly missing the target on 50 minutes.

However, the visitors then added a second goal just two minutes later when left-back Smith was allowed to break through Stanley's defensive line, before slotting his shot past Clayton to double his side's advantage.

The Ammies, who had suffered an 8-0 home defeat in September's reverse fixture, soon made it three as Henderson turned provider; with the defender crossing for 19-year-old Pedro to convert from close range.

Salford had a great chance to extend their lead further when Pedro surged towards goal and played in his strike partner, Kamoy McNair, but the latter could only fire his 68th-minute effort over Clayton's crossbar.

Next up for the Reds is a final day fixture against Stockport County at the Wham Stadium on Saturday 6th May, 11am kick-off; with Brannan and Rogers' side aiming to conclude their 2022/23 campaign on a high.

Accrington Stanley

Clayton, Trickett (Procter 66'), Pickles (C), Poilly, Harper (High 58'), Devonport, Gough, Henderson (Hall 71'), Lawton (Kelly 58'), Smith and Young.

Subs Not Used: Rogerson.

Yellow Cards: Gough and Devonport.