Peter Taylor suffered a losing start this afternoon as City went down to play-off chasers Accrington.

A travelling army of nearly 2,000 away fans packed into the tiny Crown Ground hoping to see a new start under the new boss.

Instead, they saw a poor performance on a poor pitch - and could have no complaints that Stanley took the points.

The first half had been a tedious repeat of Grimsby. Chris Brandon, recalled to the starting line-up, had two efforts off target and Bobby Grant volleyed wide for Accrington but there was little quality on show on a tricky pitch.

City had a glorious chance to break the deadlock straight after the re-start. Simon Ramsden's free-kick fell to James Hanson four yards out but somehow he put the ball over.

It was a big miss and City paid the price after 54 minutes. The assistant referee's flag stayed down for once, allowing Accrington winger John Miles to run through and beat Matt Glennon.

Miles almost had a second when Ramsden tripped on the ball but Glennon beat out his shot.

Substitute Michael Boulding volleyed over and Matt Clarke couldn't direct his header when City finally won their first corner after 73 minutes.

And Miles made sure of the home points with three minutes left, finishing Michael Symes' low cross from a tight angle.

Taylor knows he has got his hands full.