Ian Craney scored a wonder goal as Accrington beat 10-man Torquay 1-0 on Saturday to make it three wins on the trot.

A quick throw by Joe Jacobson found the midfielder 25 yards out and he turned and fired into the top corner of the net beyond Danny Potter 12 minutes from time.

Stanley, whose manager John Coleman has been linked with the Bradford job, had been under pressure in the first half from the promotion-chasers.

They had to rely on keeper Alex Cisak to pull off a string of saves, including a point blank one from defender Mark Ellis' header.

But the turning point came on the stroke of half-time when Gulls defender Ellis was shown a straight red for clipping the heels of striker Terry Gornell as he charged clean through.

The Reds made use of the extra man piling on the pressure and the Gulls, on a five-match unbeaten run, could do little about Craney's goal - his second in two games - as Stanley look to make a late charge for the play-offs.