Ethan Hamilton secured Accrington Stanley a place in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round after an 84th minute winner against National League side Barnet.
The midfielder pounced after keeper Laurie Walker pushed out Rosaire Longelo’s cross to secure an important Second Round win for the Reds after it looked like a replay could be on the cards.
Stanley started strongly and Kody Adedoyin’s shot hit the far post before the ball bounced out in the second minute while Shaun Whalley went on a mazy run and fired narrowly over the bar.
Hamilton’s long distance effort was close but Barnet came more into the game after the opening 15 minutes and were a threat.
Top scorer Nicke Kabamba raced forward and it needed a tackle from Seamus Conneely to stop him while Sam Beard’s corner had to be cleared from the six yard box.
Stanley almost opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Whalley’s strike took a deflection and whisked just wide.
Barnet had a couple of headers – Beard and Kabamba both heading well wide - and Toby Savin had to tip a Kabamba chance over the bar just before half-time.
There were half chances for both chances after the re-start but Stanley had a great opportunity on 68 minutes when Rosaire Longelo’s cross into the box found Adedoyin but he couldn’t find the target.
Longelo had a shot straight at Laurie Walker on 72 minutes while, at the other end, Kabamba’s fierce strike was deflected wide.
There was a goalmouth scramble on 78 minutes with both Adedoyin and Liam Coyle trying to find a way past goalie Walker with the Reds also appealing for a penalty but nothing was given.
Rosaire fired again at Walker before the deadlock was broken by Hamilton and the Reds celebrated a place in the Third Round.
Stanley: Savin, Rodgers, Conneely, Fernandez, Longelo, Hamilton, Coyle, Whalley, Clark, Leigh, Adedoyin
Subs: Jensen, Nolan, Delfouneso, Perritt, Martin, Sisay, Moonan, Patrick, Pickles
Crowd: 1771 (202 from Barnet)