COLNE 2 FC United 1: Three goals in the final five minutes and a dug-out brawl brought this entertaining League Challenge Cup Round Two encounter to a spectacular end.

Chris Clarke thought he had won it for Colne as he marked his debut with a brilliant goal four minutes from time.

The game seemed to be heading for extra time at Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium when FC United were awarded a controversial free kick which Tony Cullen fired beyond Ross Baxter.

But Gary Williams made it a double dream debut as he fired in the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time to silence over 2,000 visiting fans.

The action didn't end there, however, as FC United player Rory Patterson - who had already been substituted, was shown a red card for throwing a punch.

Johnathan Mitton was also booked for Carl Marginson's men after the visitors accused Colne's Paul Forsyth of time-wasting, and a dug-out scramble ensued.

But, once play resumed, the referee prompted celebrations from the Colne camp as he quickly blew the final whistle.

Manager Nigel Coates praised his side for a solid performance, but felt he shouldn't have had to wait so long for the result to be sealed.

"We didn't fear them," he said. "But, apart from the last 25 minutes of the first half, we didn't really play as well as we can.

"We should have had it wrapped up by half-time but we missed an open goal and there were three or four scrambles in the box.

"The second half was more even and we faded a touch in the last 15 to 20 minutes after the adrenalin of playing in front of such a vociferous crowd wore off.

"But, on the balance of play, I thought we deserved it."

And Coates heaped praise on his three debutants, Clarke, Williams and Russell Clark.

"Two scored and one had a solid game on the back, so you can't ask for more than that," he said.

Colne were forced into an untimely change when captain Scott Gizon limped off with a knee injury after just 13 minutes.

But that paved the way for new signing Clarke to shine.

Colne soaked up a spell of pressure from the breakaway Manchester United side as Ryan Gilligan, Rob Nugent and Adie Orr all had chances.

After that, the Reds grew stronger and how Ian Simpson failed to put them in front on 37 minutes only he will know. Forsyth pulled the ball back but Simpson scuffed his effort with only the keeper to beat.

FC United stopper Barrie George was then well protected by his defence as Colne had several goalmouth scrambles, before Patterston had a goal ruled out for offside for the visitors.

In the second half, Colne goalkeeper Ross Baxter had his blushes spared as an attempted clearance fell straight to Steve Torpey, but he missed an open goal from long range.

Baxter went on to make two good stops from Orr then Torpey.

As the game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw then extra time, Clarke curled a beauty past George from 25 yards.

But it was soon all square again as Torpey struck a low free kick into the bottom left hand corner.

Former Stanley striker Williams proved he hadn't lost his touch at the former Crown Ground and buried the winner in a one-on-one with George after sprinting past his markerto seal a late win.