DION Charles admitted to nerves when he stepped up to seal Stanley a point from the spot at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The summer signing from Southport was brought down in the box 13 minutes from time by Josh Hare and picked himself up to score the final goal in a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Memorial Stadium.

It sparked scenes of joy amongst the Reds who had played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Seamus Conneely’s red card.

As he was mobbed by his team-mates Charles claims that objects were thrown from the crowd as he celebrated a second goal since his move up from the National League North last month.

“I was speaking to Clicker (Jordan Clark) and he said the ball wasn’t even for me but luckily I’ve touched it into my path and he’s just wiped me out,” Charles said of winning the crucial penalty.

“I was very nervous, I’ve never taken a penalty in that situation before, but luckily I’ve put it away and that’s all that matters.

“I was having a bit of banter with the fans afterwards, it’s good fun but then having 20p pieces and £1 coins thrown at you is never a good sign, it’s definitely unacceptable.”

Stanley saw their momentum late on halted with referee Neil Hair taking a blow to the face and needing to be replaced by linesman Andrew Laver.

Charles, who also assisted the second goal for Sam Finley, was adamant it was a delay that suited the hosts as John Coleman’s side went in search of a third win in seven days after victories over MK Dons, in League One, and Fleetwood Town, in the EFL Trophy.

“That was the best thing that could have happened to them,” the 23-year-old told Stanley’s website.

“We were absolutely battering them and they were up against the ropes and they were gone.

“I think we just need to be a bit more ruthless and go for the throat when we can.

“It was a very good point though, very well fought, the shift that the lads put in was phenomenal, going down to 10 men, going a goal down and coming back.

“Personally I got a goal and I got an assist to Sam, even though he took the ball off me, but I’ll take an assist for it, and it was a good match overall for everyone.”

Despite frustrations of not getting all three points Charles felt Stanley’s performance against The Gas was one that showed the spirit that Coleman fosters.

The Reds were both 1-0 and 3-2 down as well as playing 40 minutes with 10 men after Connelly’s second booking shortly after the interval.

“I don’t know what it was why we started so slowly but luckily the lads dug in deep and we managed to get two goals in quick succession,” said Charles, who played out wide for a spell after the red card.

“It shows the character we’ve got in the dressing room.

“When you play like that with 10 men then you’re not going to go far wrong.

“I moved onto the wing while the gaffer made some changes, but that’s my game.

“I’m here to help the team and work as hard as I can for them, and like I say. if it gets us a point then that’s my job done.”

Coleman’s side will look to continue their upward trajectory when they host Sunderland at the Wham Stadium on Saturday.

The Black Cats are eighth in the early League One table with three wins, two draws and a defeat from their opening six games.

Stanley sit 19th, the MK Dons victory their only league triumph to date.