Duffus makes instant impact in lively clash

Photo: Alan Howarth

SHOOT ON SIGHT . . . Courtney Duffus' strike on goal is handled on the goal-line for an Athletic penalty

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

COURTNEY Duffus lashed in during a second-half flexing of muscles from Athletic which helped gain a 2-2 draw in a pleasingly feisty pre-season meeting at Accrington Stanley.

Mekhi McLeod had earlier danced past a wrong-footed Peter Clarke and advanced untroubled downfield at pace, before unleashing a shot that beat the dive to his right of trialist goalkeeper Niklas Bolten before hitting a post and bouncing just inside the opposite upright.

A strike from the blue at the Wham Stadium in the 73rd minute, it put Stanley 2-1 up.

Duffus, who came on at half-time, had already earned a penalty to level the scores at 1-1 before that.

On in place of Aaron Amadi-Holloway, the former Everton prospect looked quick, powerful and hungry.

When a corner kick fell his way via the slippery fingers of the home goalkeeper, Duffus (21) struck a shot that was handled inside the box by Liam Nolan.

Craig Davies sent the trialist 'keeper the wrong way from the spot in the 55th minute.

Athletic were far better after the interval than in a sloppy first half, and upped the tempo again after falling behind to McLeod.

Taking advantage of some loose control by Stanley centre-back Omar Beckles, Duffus scooted into the area and hammered in a 15-yard shot that whizzed through the goalkeeper's arms before he could react.

Before that 86th-minute equaliser, Darius Osei saw a near-post effort blocked before he was forced off the field with a pulled hamstring and after it, Ryan McLaughlin - hauled back on due to Osei's injury, having barely had a minute's rest on the bench - hit a shot that deflected narrowly over the top.

What of Athletic's overall performance? Set up in a 4-4-2 formation, this was further evidence to back up boss John Sheridan's contention that he needs a new midfield general.

Accrington controlled matters in the first 45 minutes and deserved the lead given to them when one of a number of crosses emanating from Cameron Dummigan's flank, this time from Sean McConville, was nodded in from six yards out by Billy Kee.

Athletic were largely subdued as an attacking force and Ollie Banks and Ousmane Fane had too little influence.

There was improvement after half-time and trialist Reagy Ofosu looked fairly compact and bright on the right flank, with the Duffus and Davies partnership up front providing some promise.

Accrington: Trialist, Pearson, Beckles, Richards-Everton, Donacien, Conneely, Nolan, Clark, Jackson, McConville, Kee. Subs: None named.

Athletic: Bolten; Dummigan (Ofosu 46), Clarke (Edmundson 75), Gerrard (Stott 75), Hunt; McLaughlin (Mantack 84), Fane, Banks (Fawns 74), Obadeyi (Flynn 46); Amadi-Holloway (Duffus 46), Davies (Osei 74; McLaughlin 85). Attendance: 921.