WHEN Accrington's home fixture with Leigh East was postponed due to the visitors Cup involvement, they hastily rearranged this league game at near neighbours Adlington.

Accrington welcomed back assistant coach Nick Hope after a 12-month lay-off through injury, and what a return it turned out to be.

Two tries in the space of a five-minute period midway through the first half set Accrington on their way to a deserved victory.

Accrington took an early lead when after sustained pressure Danny Hinnett crossed the home line for what proved the first of his well-deserved two tries in the match.

Accrington looked to have secured a win by half time with the addition of Hope's tries and one from Lee Edwards, particuarly when the home side had a player dismissed for a blatant trip.

Dave Shirt struck the resultant penalty between the posts to give Accrington a 22-4 advantage at the break. Adlington had earlier scored a well-worked try midway through the half, Accrington had dominated.

Adlington however, fought back well in the second period despite being down to 12 men and got to within two points of their visitors before victory was sealed towards the end when Don Paine scored the vital try under the posts.

Next match is away to Latchford Albion, kick off 2pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.