ACCRINGTON Stanley last night looked down on the rest of the Conference thanks to a 'volley' good show by Steve Jagielka.

The energetic wide man fired in his second volley in as many games to put the Reds one point clear at the top.

Their lofty position may only last less than 24 hours, unless the Exeter City v Grays Athletic game falls foul of the weather, but Stanley are sure to savour the moment and strive for more chances to call themselves league leaders.

Forest Green Rovers - at the opposite end of the Conference spectrum - put up a decent fight in the first half. As Stanley readjusted to their impromtu change, Harding failed to steer his header from Sekani Simpson's right wing cross on target and the Reds went into the break with their 1-0 lead intact.

One-nil quickly became 2-0 after the re-start, inspired by Boco, created by Mullin.

Benin international Boco ducked and weaved on the right of the box before putting a high ball in for Welch. The central defender sent a towering header goalwards, which Clarke managed to pluck out of the goal. But Mullin followed up well and cut the ball back for Jagielka, who volleyed in from 12 yards.

The former Shrewsbury midfielder turned provider himself moments later as he sent a brilliant centre in for Barry, but the young midfielder completely mis-hit his shot right in front of goal. Roberts got possession and laid the ball off to meet Boco's run, but instead of wrapping the game up, the finish was blasted wide.

Forest Green tried to hit back on the hour but Abdou Sall had his left-foot volley deflected and Abbey headed over from the subsequent corner.

It proved to be a rare spell of pressure from the strugglers and Clarke kept the scoreline respectable to deny Boco with a brilliant stop after the front man had done well to fend off two bigger and broader opponents.

Craney was then denied by Clarke's quick reflexes before firing into the side netting from Jagielka's delivery.

Forest Green attempted a late rally but substitute Guy Madjo's shot from distance was poor, while Harding flashed a chance wide four minutes from time.

Stanley almost grabbed what would have been a deserved third but Boco was once again denied - this time by the angle, before Clarke thwarted Craney for a second time.