A COURAGEOUS second-half fightback from 10-man Latics stunned Conference side Accrington Stanley in a controversial LDV Trophy tie.

Brian Talbot's side led through a 25th minute Matty Appleby penalty after Aaron Wilbraham was upended by Steven Flitcroft.

But the game turned dramatically after a contentious incident five minutes before the break. Kevin Betsy retaliated to Chris Butler's strong touchline challenge and received a red card for his actions with the Accrington left-back only booked.

And that fracas had barely died down before Stanley levelled as Lee McEvilly smashed home a loose ball from eight yards.

Latics introduced Dave Beharall and switched to a 3-5-1 formation at half-time only to fall behind within a minute, midfielder Ian Craney gifted space to finish McEvilly's pullback.

Despite enjoying plenty of possession, it did not look to be Latics' night - especially when Jermaine Johnson limped off with knee ligament trouble.

Scott Vernon replaced the Jamaican but it was the introduction of Adam Griffin for Kelvin Lomax that transformed the game.

Within a minute the youngster headed an equaliser at the far post from Dean Holden's cross.

And Griffin then repaid the favour seven minutes later, when Holden's thumping header finished his inviting delivery.

Even then, Accrington spurned a glorious injury-time chance when Les Pogliacomi's superb low stop denied Paul Mullin and broke their hearts.

Talbot said: "You have to give credit to my players. We know we were not particularly good in the first half - but in the second we kept the ball and produced two excellent crosses and goals."

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