City kicked off 2008 in perfect fashion with a battling 2-0 win at Accrington.

Matt Clarke's first goal for the club and a cool last-minute finish from Joe Colbeck ensured they exacted revenge for the 3-0 home loss to Stanley three months earlier.

The game burst into life two minutes into the second half.

A City corner was cleared only as far as Colbeck who turned it straight back into the box where David Wetherall flicked on for Clarke to score from close range.

City had further chances to increase their lead with Peter Thorne denied by a low save from Ian Dunbavin and Barry Conlon missing a one-on-one.

Stuart McCall handed a debut to loan signing Lee Bullock and he looked the part in midfield as City bossed the second 45 minutes.

Omar Daley's pace terrified the Accrington defence but there was one late wobble when Andy Procter's header rattled the City bar.

But straight away, Daley broke to the other end and although he was denied by Dunbavin, Colbeck was following up to calmly stroke home the rebound.

CITY: Ricketts, Williams, Wetherall, Clarke, Heckingbottom, Colbeck, Evans, Bullock, Daley, Thorne, Conlon. Subs: Bower, Rhodes, Penford, Nix, Topp.