ACCRINGTON Stanley's first Football League goal in over 44 years wasn't just historic - it was magnifique.

French wizard Romuald Boco etched his name into football folklore with a stunning opener to get the Reds off and running in League Two at the third attempt.

And, just for good measure, he added to his tally in the second half to secure Stanley's first win since their return in one fell swoop.

More than anything, manager John Coleman was eager for his side to make their mark in the goals for column and prevent the risk of a burden hanging over them.

And the Reds looked visibly more at ease once Boco made the most of a period of sustained pressure to edge them in front with a classy, composed finish, then completed his double seven minutes into the second half.

A late consolation by Simon King and over three minutes of added time made for a nervy finale.

But when the referee eventually blew the final whistle he signalled a deserved first win for Stanley.

But, again, it had taken them a while to get into their stride.

Leam Richardson got them out of jail after only two minutes when Ian Dunbavin fumbled Nicky Bailey's cross, Dean Sinclair got a touch at close range but Richardson was quick to launch the ball clear from the goalline.

After Boco was harshly booked for a late challenge on Bailey, Sinclair looked to exploit the Reds' recent vulnerability at set pieces as he bobbled a shot wide when the ball wasn't cleared.

Seconds later, the midfielder had a tame, low shot stopped by Dunbavin.

But Stanley were quick to put their shaky start behind them and Michael Welch had a gift of a header thanks to Richardson's accurate deep cross, but the 6ft 3 centre half failed to steer it on target.

Paul Mullin then glanced a header straight at goalkeeper Lee Harrison after getting in front of Paul Warhurst.

Williams then completed a hat-trick of missed headers after getting on the end of Craney's corner.

Coleman later admitted that he feared it wouldn't be Stanley's day when Gary Roberts was denied by the woodwork as he slid in to meet Craney's cross-come-shot inside the six yard box.

Tresor Kandol reacted for Barnet and was unlucky to see his right-foot curler bend round the post.

But when Warhurst made his third major defensive mistake in as many games, Boco pounced.

The former Blackburn Rovers defender flicked a header backwards, leaving Harrison exposed and Boco with the bit between his teeth as the Frenchman sent a delightful chip over the Barnet stopper for Stanley's first Football League goal in over 44 years and five months.

Liam Hatch tried to hit back before the break but Dunbavin slid out to claim the ball at the striker's feet.

Stanley looked even more vibrant at the start of the second half and Craney stung Harrison's hands when he let fly from 25 yards after receiving Todd's brilliant throughball.

On the rare occasion that Bailey got the better of Peter Cavanagh, thankfully no-one was on hand to convert his centre.

The Reds broke quickly and Craney did all the hard work after robbing Warhurst of possession on the edge of his box, bursting forward and firing a shot at Harrison.

The Barnet stopper could only parry it, and Boco was the first to react to fire the ball back into an empty net.

Roberts got captain Ian Hendon in a spin as Stanley searched for a quick third.

The winger crossed for Mullin, who laid the ball off for debutant Jay Harris and the teenager was unlucky to fire a low drive wide of the left hand post.

Bailey fizzed a shot across the face of goal just wide and Mullin was forced into a goalline clearance from the midfielder's quickly taken free kick.

Barnet's plan to get back into the game with a double substitution backfired as Boco almost completed his hat-trick, Mullin had a cross-shot tipped over the bar then Todd's deflected shot was stopped by the keeper.

Substitute Magno Vieira had a goal disallowed but it was a short-lived reprieve as, in the last minute, Dunbavin parried Bailey's powerful drive but King rammed in the rebound.

Barnet mounted further pressure in stoppage time but Stanley showed enough resilience to secure their first League Two win.