PAUL Mullin isn't the only player Accrington Stanley have to thank for securing tonight's FA Trophy replay.

The Reds' striker popped up in injury time to salvage a last-gasp draw against Conference South strugglers Carshalton Athletic.

But manager John Coleman also hailed goalkeeper Rob Elliot as one of the main reasons why Stanley live to fight another day in the competition.

"Rob will be disappointed with the second goal because he could have come out and dealt with it," said Coleman ahead of tonight's replay.

"But, having said that, he has saved three one-on-ones so I think, on the balance of his decisions, he made some right ones and kept us in the game on Saturday.

"And from the error he made our defence still could have got him out of jail because they could have cleared it.

"But he is learning and he made three world class saves."

However, Coleman believes his side can count themselves fortunate not to bow out of the Trophy at the second hurdle after twice going behind to the lowly Robins.

And after getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Conference North strugglers Worcester in the fourth qualifying round in October, the Reds boss reckons Saturday's draw could serve as another timely wake-up call to his promotion hungry troops at a crucial stage of the season.

"It could be the best thing that could have happened to us because, if we go on to win tonight, we've had a harsh lesson in that the minute you drop your standards, the minute we don't apply ourselves, we're going to get punished," Coleman said.

"It's not going to be plain sailing from now to the end of the season.

"If ever the players had any doubts, that should be a wake-up to them."

He added: "We started poorly on Saturday then got a foothold on the game and bossed it for 15 to 20 minutes. Then I think our lads themselves thought it was going to a stroll in the second half.

"Give Carshalton their due, they took the game to us and thoroughly deserved to take the lead, and maybe could've sealed it 3-1.

"But we've always got a goal in our locker. I'm just disappointed we didn't create many chances in the second half because I thought playing up the slope would be more beneficial to us.

"That wasn't the case, but you've got to give Carshalton a lot of credit.

"They belied their position in the league and maybe we belied ours as well.

"They showed a great spirit and if I was their manager I would be sick - not so much by the manner of the equaliser but just the timing of it.

"But things like that happen in football. It's their duty to defend the free kick and they didn't."

While Coleman is reluctant to put extra pressure on his players with an additional game as they home in on promotion, he is delighted to still be in the FA Trophy.

"If someone had offered me another game with a minute to go I would have bitten their hand off," he said. "It keeps our unbeaten run going.

"I was a bit disappointed with the way we defended on Saturday but we will work on that in training and we will get it right."

The winners of tonight's game will face either Weston Super Mare or Worksop Town at home on February 4. Conference South side Weston Super Mare travel to their Conference North opponents for their replay tonight.