James Gray taught his dad's Oxford mates a lesson, but it's a former teacher who drives him on.
Gray, 21, set up co-striker Kayode Odejayi for the first half opener before adding the 55th minute winner to make sure Accrington beat the threat of dropping out of the league before revealing:
"I set out every day to prove people wrong. In particular my old PE teacher who told me I'd never make it as a professional when I was thirteen."
Gray's dad, Phil, played for Oxford and Sunderland and the impressive Northern Ireland under-21 hit man said:
"He's been giving me a bit of friendly stick as I hadn't scored since December, but he'll be pleased I scored against one of his former teams especially as he has a few friends like Andy Melville on the coaching staff."
Rotherham loanee Odejayi, 32, admitted he has been impressed with rookie manager James Beattie and said:
"He's been positive since I walked through the door back in September. He's a top man. He was a player in the dressing room last year and so has had to make that transition, but he's done it and should go on to have a great career."
Accrington took thirteen league games to record their fist win, but Beattie was delighted to secure the club's league status and said:
"The recovery is now 100 per cent complete. All season we believed.
Gray, 21, set up co-striker Kayode Odejayi for the first half opener before adding the 55th minute winner to make sure Accrington beat the threat of dropping out of the league before revealing:
"I set out every day to prove people wrong. In particular my old PE teacher who told me I'd never make it as a professional when I was thirteen."
Gray's dad, Phil, played for Oxford and Sunderland and the impressive Northern Ireland under-21 hit man said:
"He's been giving me a bit of friendly stick as I hadn't scored since December, but he'll be pleased I scored against one of his former teams especially as he has a few friends like Andy Melville on the coaching staff."
Rotherham loanee Odejayi, 32, admitted he has been impressed with rookie manager James Beattie and said:
"He's been positive since I walked through the door back in September. He's a top man. He was a player in the dressing room last year and so has had to make that transition, but he's done it and should go on to have a great career."
Accrington took thirteen league games to record their fist win, but Beattie was delighted to secure the club's league status and said:
"The recovery is now 100 per cent complete. All season we believed.
"We embarked on a journey when I walked through the door and in my fledgling managerial career it has to be a highlight to keep the club in the football league for another year."
Ryan Williams pulled a goal back for Oxford, but manager Gary Waddock was furious that his team had blown a play-off place having topped the table in December. He blasted:
Ryan Williams pulled a goal back for Oxford, but manager Gary Waddock was furious that his team had blown a play-off place having topped the table in December. He blasted:
"There was a lack of hunger and desire and we don't want a football team like that. That's not a Gary Waddock team. Come the start of next season, I'll be judged on the team I put together."
"We have a losing culture here and we have to change that. What I saw was just not acceptable. I know what needs to be done, and there will be a lot of work in the summer."
"We have a losing culture here and we have to change that. What I saw was just not acceptable. I know what needs to be done, and there will be a lot of work in the summer."
Gray had another angled shot well saved by keeper Ryan Clarke for the opener in the eighteenth minute, but strike partner Odejayi was first to react to bury the rebound for his seventh of the campaign from eight yards.
Clarke shut out Accrington twice in the first fourteen minutes with two smart saves.
Central defender drilled a low shot through a crowded box from ten yards in the third minute, but Clarke pushed it past his upright and the keeper then got down to save Gray's downward header from close in.
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