Accrington Stanley 0 Woking 0

AFTER the defensive and discipline worries of last season, to go four games without a booking and three without conceding would normally please John Coleman.

But the Accrington Stanley manager was left deeply frustrated by his side's inability to turn chances into goals and subsequently three points against Woking.

At least, however, it wasn't for the want of trying.

Steve Jagielka was particularly prominent in attack, Ian Craney and Lee McEvilly had a couple of chances while Ged Brannan somehow had a diving header saved from flamboyant goalkeeper Adriano Basso.

To describe the Brazilian stopper as eccentric would be something of an understatement, with his long flowing locks and unorthodox clearing techniques.

A punch was preferred when it looked easier to catch the ball, and one sensed that a few high punts into the box would cause endless problems for Basso and benefit the Reds.

But while their build-up play was impressive, Stanley struggled to get the bulk of their chances on target. Typically, when Basso was under serious threat, he managed to pull out all the stops.

Brannan must have been getting ready to celebrate when he dived into the six-yard box to meet Jagielka's free kick with a firm header. But somehow the Woking keeper managed to block the ball.

McEvilly and second-half substitute Rory Prendergast then looked to have done enough to force the ball home, but despite Basso rolling on his back, appearing to take the ball over the line with him, the referee and linesman ruled out a goal.

But instead of turning on the officials, Coleman felt his side should have made absolutely certain of taking the lead.

"I couldn't see from the dug-out whether the ball had gone over the line, but I thought it should have been put over the line anyway," he said.

"You can take the doubt out of the equation by just sliding in and being strong, but I think we were a little bit hesitant."

Whoever was to blame, it was just one of a host of refereeing decisions which went against Stanley on an afternoon when luck also neglected them.

Stanley had dictated the tempo and retained possession for large periods in the first half, reverting back to the starting line-up which has changed only once so far - for last Tuesday's win at York - with Lutel James retaking his place on the right flank in a 4-5-1 formation.

Central defender Robbie Williams averted danger with his goal-line clearance when goalkeeper Jon Kennedy failed to claim a left wing cross. But, after that, it was virtually all Stanley.

McEvilly and Craney linked well but Jagielka dragged his shot wide. The Reds broke from a corner, conceded when Stuart Bimson did well to clear with rangy wide man Raphael Nade looking predatory at the far post, and James picked out Jagielka with a superb crossfield ball. The midfielder took it in his stride and cracked it first time but again couldn't get his aim spot on.

There were similar tales of striking woe for Craney, James and McEvilly before the half came to a close.

Stanley were forced into a half-time change, with Paul Howarth replacing the injured Williams. Prendergast later replaced James to add something different on the left wing, with McEvilly switching to the right. But while Prendergast was frequently picked out with good deliveries, Woking became more and more resilient and managed to snuff out most chances.

As the game wore on, it looked as if it would be harder for Stanley to breach the visitors' defence.

Woking were also kept at arm's length, but there were no complaints from their camp when the spoils were shared.