STANLEY'S push towards the Conference play-off places continued to gather pace at Burton's plush new Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.

John Coleman's men made it seven points from three games to move into sixth place in the table after giving Burton a lesson in finishing.

A coach load of Stanley fans were still making their way to the ground after delays on the journey south when David Brown fired the visitors in front in the ninth minute.

Burton huffed and puffed, promisingly at times, but another classic smash-and-grab raid by substitute Andrew Mangan sealed the points for the visitors in the 73rd minute.

Coleman offered sympathetic words to Burton after their effort went unrewarded, but went away convinced his team are starting to show the resilience needed to sustain a promotion challenge.

He said: "We let a two-goal lead slip in this game last season and we did it again the other week against Scarborough, but it is something we've worked on.

"We had to soak up a lot of pressure and Burton had half chances that on another day could have won them the game.

"But we kept the ball a lot better in the second half, they got a little bit desperate in chasing the game and that's when the holes appeared for us to get the second goal."

Unchanged Stanley could not have wished for a better start as Brown started and finished the move that produced the early goal.

The former Hereford frontman won possession in the centre circle before finding Steve Jagielka in space on the right with a delightful pass.

With Burton caught on the back foot, Brown continued his run into the area to shoot past Dane Crane from eight yards.

Burton went on to enjoy the lion's share of the possession in the first half, though Stanley might have doubled their lead in the 24th minute when full back Andy Corbett had to clear a looping Gary Roberts header off the line.

With Mike Flynn oustanding, Stanley were dependable and mostly unflinching at the back and Burton were mostly restricted to long-range shots.

The home team were almost caught out by another swift counter attack in the 41st minute, but Crane pulled off a smart save at the foot of a post after Jagielka pulled back Paul Mullin's cross as Brown lurked dangerously at the far post.

Crucially, Stanley survived Burton's most threatening spell of pressure either side of the interval.

Midfielder Andy Todd miscued one shot in front of goal and screwed another wide from 10 yards, while Jon Shaw missed the target from six yards claiming he had been clipped from behind by Robbie Williams as he pounced on Todd's cross.

When Stanley broke free of their defensive shackles, it was with devastating effect in the 73rd minute.

Mangan had been booked two minutes earlier for shoving Burton defender Darren Tinson to the ground, but showed a more refined streak to virtually seal the points.

Leam Richardson hurled the ball forward, Mullin flicked it on with his head and Burton's lack of defensive cover was exposed as the youngster ran on to hit a crisp low shot into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

Burton: Crane; Henshaw, Tinson, Austin, Corbett; Todd (Hall 76), Stride, Webster, Gilroy; Bacon (Anderson 84), Shaw; subs not used: Harrad, Graves, Clough.

Stanley: Randolph; Cavanagh, Williams, Flynn (Welch 90+2), Richardson; Jagielka, Craney, Barry, Roberts (Mangan 60); D Brown, Mullin; subs not used: P Brown, Boco, Navarro