JOHN Coleman celebrated his 1,000th game in management with a win and a place in the FA Cup third round, after admitting his gameplan paid off.

Offrande Zanzala started on the bench but came on at half-time to change the tempo of the tie and swing it in the Reds' favour.

Moments after his introduction the Congo-born striker fired Stanley in front with a firm header, then won the penalty which Billy Kee converted to make it 2-0.

Zanzala might have had more goals, either side of Alex Addai pulling a goal back for League Two Cheltenham, before Jordan Clark wrapped up a 3-1 win with his third of the season.

“We just felt we could be a bit more positive and put a bit of pace on up front. That was probably the idea from the start. With Connor Hall and Luke Charman being out we only really had Andy Scott who’s only 18 and still learning his trade so we didn’t really have a lot of backup to change the game if we’d have started with Ozzy (Zanzala).

“I think it probably vindicated our decision to do that. He was lively when he came on, he obviously got his goal and then we utilised his pace for the penalty, and he could have had another couple to be fair. But then we started to play.

“We’re disappointed with their goal but then we had the gumption to push on and score again and make chances.

“I think it was an overall decent display and an entertaining display for the fans."

Of Zanzala's impact, Coleman added: “He’s not the greatest in the air but it was a great header, and a great move. It was good that we had an outlet to find and that was definitely the key there. We’d identified some of their shortcomings during the week and that’s why we thought it might go into the second half. So the game plan panned out how we thought it would go to be fair, so it’s nice when that comes off."

And Coleman was delighted that striker Kee ended an eight-game goal drought from the penalty spot.

“I was fearing for him walking up to take it but he’s absolutely buried it. Great penalty," said the Stanley boss.

“His overall play was good, his link-up play was good and he won his headers. He’s been struggling with an injury and he was touch and go whether he was going to play today but he battled through for the cause.

“He’s a great lad and there’s no-one more pleased that he’s got his goal."

Of Clark's third, which came from a one-two with Kee, Coleman added: “It was a fantastic finish. I think it will probably be the goal of the round when you see the move that’s led to it and a composed finish as well."