LIAM Sercombe scored twice in the final 11 minutes to give Oxford United their second away victory in five days.

The midfielder provided a pair of decisive finishes - the first from close range, before adding a late penalty.

It broke the resistance of in-form Stanley, who had equalised through Matt Crooks in the 70th minute, cancelling out Callum O'Dowda's first-half strike.

The result saw United climb above Stanley to fifth in the Sky Bet League Two table and end a superb few days in the north, which began with a 2-1 win at York City on Tuesday.

Head coach Michael Appleton named the same XI for the fourth game in succession, so new signing Jordan Graham again had to be content with a place on the bench.

The visitors, who had stayed in the north since at Bootham Crescent, started brightly.

Most of the early exchanges took place in Stanley's half, with O'Dowda forcing a save from goalkeeper Jason Mooney with a curling shot.

Stanley though came into the game as the division's form side and were looking for a fifth win on the bounce.

Sam Slocombe saved a weak shot from Sean McConville, but the goalkeeper was well beaten in the 18th minute.

He was stranded when in-form forward Josh Windass opted to hit a bouncing ball from at least 40 yards, but although some Stanley supporters began to celebrate a goal, the ball landed on the roof of the net.

United hit back with a bang, opening the scoring three minutes later.

A clever pass from John Lundstram slipped in Kemar Roofe, whose pull-back was clinically finished by O'Dowda.

It was the highlight of a chaotic first half where the game stubbornly refused to settle down into a rhythm.

The contest was not helped by stoppages to treat separate knocks for Danny Rose and Joe Wright.

Rose was forced off with what looked like a hip injury, while Accrington defender Wright soldiered on until the break after a bang to the head.

The crowd had to wait until the start of the second half to see a clear opening.

Graham, on for Rose, whipped in a dangerous cross which found its way to O'Dowda, whose shot was blocked on the line.

Johnny Mullins headed the resulting corner for Roofe, who looped a header over Mooney but although the visitors appealed the ball was over the line, the referee waved play on after it was hacked away by a covering defender.

The game was still in the balance, though, and steadily United were forced to spend more time defending.

They looked relatively comfortable until the 70th minute, when Stanley drew level.

Crooks found a pocket of space 25 yards out and let fly with a shot which took a tiny deflection - enough to beat Slocombe and find the top corner.

Only a mixture of last-ditch defending and good fortune prevented United conceding a second five minutes later.

A short corner led to a shot from Seamus Conneely, which sparked an almighty scramble.

It took a save from Slocombe, a header off the line from George Baldock, the crossbar and a shot over from McConville to deny Stanley.

The home players held their heads in their hands and it was a huge turning point.

Within four minutes United regained the lead, when Sercombe slammed home from close range to convert Graham's low cross.

The points were made safe three minutes from time, when Roofe was fouled in the area.

United had missed five of their last seven penalties, but Sercombe confidently swept home in front of the away fans to ensure they had a good trip home.

The last action of note was a booking for Danny Hylton for kicking the ball away.

It was the No 10's fifth of the season, triggering a one-game suspension which rules him out of Tuesday night's derby with Swindon Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Accrington: Mooney, Pearson, Wakefield, Wright (Winnard HT), Buxton, Crooks, Conneely, Mingoia, Windass (McCartan 82), McConville (Gornell 82), Kee.

Unused subs: Etheridge, Procter, Barry, Bruna.

Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, O'Dowda (Taylor 78), Sercombe, Lundstram, Rose (Graham 26), Hylton, Roofe (MacDonald 88).

Unused subs: Buchel, Dunkley, Ruffels, Hoban.

Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 1,755 (435 visitors).