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O so good for Accrington

Image: John Coleman: Smashing game

Accrington boss John Coleman praised "unplayable" Blackburn loanee John O'Sullivan after the 2-1 win over Morecambe.

Winger O'Sullivan, watched by Rovers boss Gary Bowyer, was outstanding for the Reds. He was brought down for the fifth-minute penalty which Luke Joyce converted, and then provided the pass for Shay McCartan's goal six minutes later. O'Sullivan was also unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself as Stanley extended their unbeaten record to 16 league games over Lancashire rivals Morecambe - and moved closer to the play-off spots. "There were some big characters and Johnno was unplayable in the first half," said Coleman. "It was a smashing game and sometimes you like winning games like that rather than winning 3-0 as we looked like we would in the first half. "We showed great character and resilience as we knew we faced an onslaught in the second half but we dealt with it and thoroughly deserved the win." The downside to the Stanley's victory was an injury to on-loan Fulham goalkeeper Jesse Joronen, who was stretchered off with a knee injury. The Reds had already lost Chesterfield keeper Aaron Chapman to injury earlier this season. "I seem to have bad luck with keepers," said Coleman. "He has gone to hospital and we will have to assess it." But Stanley are now in ninth position on 23 points and Coleman admitted: "The first target is to get to 30 points and that will give us a platform to build on for the play-offs. No one will get carried away though." Paul Mullin pulled one back for Morecambe shortly after the break but they could not find an equaliser. Boss Jim Bentley said: "They started brilliantly and they had their little bit of luck as it was a tight decision for the penalty and the second goal took a deflection, and then it was an uphill battle. "We got one back after the break and I expected us to go on and get the equaliser but we huffed and puffed. "We had that bit of luck at the start of the season which took us to the top and we are not getting it at the minute. "You always have a bogey team or a lucky team and we have a poor record against Accrington. It's been a long time since we have beaten them and you want to win a local derby and we have to try our best next time." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts

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