POINTS in the bag are preferable to games in hand for most football managers.

So Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman will have been pleased to transform one of their two extra fixtures on chasers Exeter into three precious points and increase the gap at the top to six points.

But yet again the Conference leaders were made to work hard for it as they met a Tamworth side who, despite struggling the league, were buoyant after earning an FA Cup replay with Championship neighbours Stoke City.

At a ground where wins have been hard to come by, Stanley made the mistake of thinking they had the game sewn up after taking a third minute lead.

Tamworth merely responded by giving them plenty of food for thought at half-time after equalising seven minutes before the break.

And the Reds emerged to deliver another demonstration of their resilience to boss a second half in which they could, and should, have increased their cushion by more than one goal.

Stanley defied the notorious Lamb Ground slope to get off the mark after just three minutes with a brilliantly worked goal.

Tamworth right back Michael Touhy sold himself in the centre of the park, missed a clearance completely and Gary Roberts won possession before tearing down a vacant left flank.

The Reds wide man drew the defender before sending over a perfect cross for Paul Mullin to steer an exquisite header home - the perfect distance away from lanky goalkeeper Scott Bevan's long reach.

Stanley continued to dominate, with Roberts failing to give right back Touhy a moment's peace.

But Stanley were forced into desperate defending on the half hour as Jake Edwards made a break.

Michael Welch slipped in his attempt to make a challenge and Edwards found himself with a clear run on goal.

But Rob Elliot advanced bravely to block then gather the ball at the second attempt.

Stanley countered and Ian Craney looked certain to double their tally with a good strike but Bevan somehow managed to get down quickly and punch the ball around the post.

Stanley were well in control and looked comfortable around the box but without carving out particularly clear-cut chances.

And the Reds were made to pay for their lack of precision when Tamworth were awarded a dubious penalty.

Welch was judged to have pushed Edwards on the far left of the box.

And when the protests died down, the Tamworth striker kept his cool to slot the ball underneath Elliot's delayed dive.

Stanley stepped up their urgency and Craney was desperately unlucky that his vicious left foot shot was matched by an equally good save after he pulled the trigger from 20 yards.

Coleman's men maintained a high tempo for the start of the second half, with Anthony Barry and Romuald Boco going close before Stanley grabbed the second goal they had pressed for, and the one which Craney so desired in the 57th minute.

Tamworth began to show signs of fatigue after their cup expolits and failed to clear a Stanley throw-in.

Boco flicked the ball on for Craney and the Reds midfielder rifled it into the bottom, right hand corner from 18 yards to put the Conference table toppers back in the driving seat.

Boco was almost a contender for Soccer AM's Showboat section as the clock ticked down after he backheeled Cavanagh's right wing delivery towards goal.

Had their been more power behind it, Bevan would certainly have struggled to save it.

But their was still some fire in Tamworth's belly and Nick Wright stung Elliot's hand as the Lambs hunted another equaliser.

Despite the introduction of Darren Stamps' fresh legs, Tamworth faded, and Mullin went agonisingly close to adding a third after getting on the end of Barry's brilliant throughball.

Mullin stretched to poke it past Bevan, and looked to have succeeded, but the Lambs' stopper just managed to tip the ball onto the post.