Stanley continued their run of pre-season wins as Shay McCartan’s second half goal brought a 1-0 win over Rochdale.

The visitors made the first opening and it was all Donal McDermott’s own work has he drove a shot goalwards only to see Ross Etheridge turn the ball behind for a corner.

Soon Stanley were in the ascendancy though with Tom Davies heading a Josh Windass free kick over the bar before the same combination went even closer. This time the delivery was from the right flank and the centre half rose highest only to see the ball bounce back off the post.

Captain Terry Gornell was starting to cause problems against his former club and he won a free kick when Josh Lillis raced from his goal and fouled the striker. This time Windass went for goal but the keeper was equal to the strike.

Defensively Stanley were doing their job well, clearing a dangerous Joe Bunney cross for corner and restricting Dale to speculative efforts.

And the Reds started the second period on the front foot, with Windass and Crooks both creating openings.

But for a moment Rochdale thought they had the opener when Joe Bunney connected with a Scott Tanzer only for a second glance to confirm that the ball was in the side netting and it was a goal kick.

There was no such confusion when Stanley found the right side of the net moments later; Piero Mingoia raced down the right and got a shot away which Lillis parried only for the ball to drop to McCartan who did the business from the edge of the box.

Sub Jason Mooney had time to show his pedigree in goal as he turned a McDermott free kick over the bar for a corner and blocked superbly from Ian Henderson from point blank range.

It was enough to secure victory as Stanley saw out stoppage time to chalk up another win.

Stanley: Etheridge, Trialist, Davies, Wright, Winnard, Mingoia, Crooks, Conneely, McConville, Windass, Gornell