Jack Nolan's penalty and two assists helped Accrington Stanley Under-23s to a hard-fought 4-1 win over second-place Blackpool that saw Ged Brannan and Andy Gray's side open up a four-point gap at the top of this season's Central League table, having played a game less than The Seasiders.
The Reds made five changes to the team that defeated Wrexham on matchday seven, as goalkeeper Liam Isherwood, Tommy Leigh, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Dan Martin and Aaron Pickles all came into the starting XI.
With less than 120 seconds on the clock at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Butler-Oyedeji fired an effort just wide of the target; before Daniel Grimshaw was forced into a good save to keep out a Martin shot at goal.
However, Stanley broke the deadlock inside the opening 23 minutes when Leigh headed home a Nolan corner, after the latter's fierce drive had been deflected behind following great work by Oliver Patrick.
Pickles and Anthony Mancini then both had good chances to add a second goal, but the 18-year-old defender could only drag his effort off target and the French midfielder's shot was denied by Grimshaw.
It looked as though Nolan had spectacularly doubled his side's lead on 70 minutes, but the winger's ambitious looping volley dropped just wide of the far post.
Stephen Dobbie's hosts continued to ask questions of the Reds and they then grabbed the equaliser six minutes later, as Joe Strawn evaded the offside trap and proceeded to slot the ball past Isherwood.
However, the league leaders responded in style and scored three goals in the final seven minutes; the first courtesy of Nolan from the penalty spot following a foul on second half substitute Owen Devonport.
Brannan and Gray's men then added a third a minute later as great build-up play led to Mancini laying the ball off for Martin to fire past Grimshaw from the edge of the box; his first goal of the campaign.
Having now provided a brace of assists in each of his last four Central League games, Nolan took his season-tally to eight when his pinpoint cross was headed home at the back post by Alex Henderson.
Next up for Stanley is a home tie against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday 7th March, 1pm kick-off; with the Reds then travelling to Nantwich Town's Swansway Stadium to face Wrexham on Wednesday 15th February.
Accrington Stanley
Isherwood, Leigh, Nolan, Butler-Oyedeji (Harper 60'), Perritt (C), Martin, Mancini, Moonan (Henderson 87'), Patrick, Adekoya (Devonport 70') and Pickles.
Subs Not Used: Clayton, Poilly and Gough.
Yellow Cards: Perritt and Nolan.