Stanley U-18's are into the 3rd round of the Youth Alliance Cup after a 2-1 victory over Rotherham United.
Keenan Quansah's powerful shot late in the match proved to be the match winner.
Rotherham had the first chance of the match after a neat move on ten minutes lead to a drilled shot from captain Alex Wiles that was held well by Stanley ‘keeper Jack Little.
Accrington's best chance in the early moments came as Rotherham's goalkeeper Peter Denton misjudged a bouncing ball but got back to claw it off the line and deny a tap-in for Kealan Steenson.
Stanley were clearly encouraged as they began to speed up their passing and fluidity of movement without seriously threatening the Rotherham goal.
This was until the 30 minute mark when a Walsh free kick, swung in from the left, was controlled by Quansah who dug out a shot towards the top corner only to see it parried away.
Then the breakthrough came, Roman Hickey was pushed from behind leaving referee John Leeson no option but to point to the spot. Kealan Steenson stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and give Accrington the half-time lead.
Rotherham started the 2nd half brighter and on 51 minutes a through ball from substitute Kuda Muskwe found Andy Norfolk who was tripped by Jack Little. Terry Yates drilled the penalty into the bottom left corner to equalise.Much like the 1st half, Stanley grew into the game and a direct run and cross from winger Jack Hartley was just out of the reach of Nathan Webb diving in at the back post.After an intense midfield battle, Stanley scorer Steenson had another chance as he went round the goalkeeper but slid his shot just past the post from a tight angle.
Eventually Quansah's winner came after a cross from substitute Reuben Dass. A frantic five minutes followed but Stanley held on to pass safely into the 3rd round.Stanley: Little, Wolfenden, Smith, Roberts, Walsh, Downey, Quansah, Hartley, Webb (Dass 75), Hickey, Steenson
Rotherham: Denton, Gibson, Rose (Muskwe 45), Shelley, Hallatt, Peace-McDonald, Fenton, Wiles, Yates, Norfolk (Bailey 70), Warren