Michael Cheek brace puts Bromley four clear at the top.

Following their third consecutive draw on this spin in the 0-0 against Harrogate Town last weekend, it looked like a change of shape to 4-4-2 from Andy Woodman as he made three changes; Zech Medley and Carl Jenkinson coming into the back-four, while the shift allowed Nickie Kabamba to partner Michael Cheek in attack.

Bromley starting line-up:

Grant Smith; Jesse Debrah, Omar Sowunmi, Zech Medley (45), Carl Jenkinson (45); Ashley Charles, Jude Arthurs (C) (66), Mitch Pinnock, Corey Whitely; Nickie Kabamba, Michael Cheek.

Subs

Sam Long; Idris Odutyao (45), Ben Thompson (45), Ben Krauhaus, Will Hondermarck (66); Brooklyn Illunga, Marcus Dinanga.

Accrington were looking to end a poor spell of form with three defeats in their last five matches, so John Doolan made two changes to the side that were beaten 1-0 by Barnet last time out, with Devon Matthews and Dave Abimbola coming in to the starting side.

Accrington Stanley starting line-up:

GK: Ollie Wright; Freddie Sass, Devon Matthews, Farrend Rawson, Issac Heath, Connor O’Brien; Seamus Conneely (C) (76), Shaun Whalley (81); Paddy Madden, Dave Abimbola (84).

Subs:

Michael Kelly; Josh Smith; Finlay Tunstall, Charlie Hall (76), Dan Martin, Charlie Brown (81); Anjola Popoola (84).

Kicking off with their usual punt out of play technique, Bromley had a chance to extend their lead at the top of League Two to four points following Cambridge United's conceding a 96th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot in their 1-1 draw with current third-placed side, MK Dons.

Interestingly, the Ravens began the game attacking the south end of the ground rather than the north end.

The first real opportunity of the afternoon fell to Bromley, Mitch Pinnock playing a wonderful whipped ball from just over the halfway line, and on to the edge of the six-yard box where Michael Cheek was, but for once his touch was very poor, and it rolled into the gloves of Ollie Wright in the Accrington net.

The Ravens came even closer to breaking the deadlock, Jesse Debrah heading the ball towards goal from a few yards out, and Wright managed to get a finger tip to it.

Accrington's afternoon was not going to get any easier after Donald Love was sent off for violent conduct on Michael Cheek. It looked like a stamp on the forward while he was contesting for the ball. It was the Owd' Reds' fifth red card of the season, a joint-high in the division alongside Barnet and Barrow.

Accrington had been better in the 10-minute period since the sending off and had their best moment of the game so far, when Devon Matthews ' long-range effort flew inches wide of the post.

Having been under pressure for a good period of the first half, Bromley finally had a chance to get on the attack again when a long ball from Sam Long was brilliantly held up by Nickie Kabamba. He laid it off to Cheek, who slipped a pass through to Corey Whitely, but his effort was well saved by Wright.

The Ravens then had two quick chances to open the scoring. Cheek directed a header which crashed off the crossbar. Immediately, a brilliant cross came in from captain Jude Arthurs, Omar Sowunmi headed it towards the top left corner, and Ollie Wright made another incredible save to deny Bromley.

When you look at the fact that Wright had the highest goals prevented out of any League Two goalkeeper (7.7), and the second-best save percentage (74.6%), only behind Grant Smith (75.8%), then this excellent first-half performance should come as no surprise.

The wave of attacks continued, and it became too much for Accrington as Bromley were awarded a spot kick in right on half time for a handball by Devon Matthews.

A classic drive down the middle was enough for Michael Cheek's 15th league goal of the season, but most importantly for Bromley, the 1-0 lead.

Accrington levelled immediately from a throw-in, Dave Abimbola flicking a header into the left-hand side of the net, and from nowhere, really, the visitors with 10 players had found a goal.

Andy Woodman made a double change during the half-time interval, Ben Thompson and Idris Odutayo coming on for Carl Jenkinson and Zech Medley.

It was substitute Odutayo who made a big impact, winning a second penalty in the game for the Ravens, after he was brought down by the man who had scored Accrington's equaliser, Abimbola.

As he did at the end of the first half, Michael Cheek converted, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner. Bromley restored their advantage right at the beginning of the second half and were currently set to move four points clear at the top.

Ollie Wright was at it again for Accrington, diving to his left and somehow clawing out Ben Thompson's incredible effort from the free kick.

Corey Whitely had two opportunities in the 63rd minute. The first one was cleared off the line, the ball came back to him, and he fired just wide of the top corner. Bromley made use of the extra player and controlled the play as they looked for a third goal, which would surely be enough for the three points.

Accrington were starting to attack in a sustainable period for the first time in the second half, and captain Seamus Conneely came inches away from an equaliser with his volley.

Michael Cheek was denied a hat-trick by a wonderful sliding challenge from the Accrington defence.

With eight minutes of added time, Bromley were controlling the game well, but were beginning to find spaces as Accrington pushed forward.

You could hear the relief from the home supporters when the full-time whistle blew, a massive win for Bromley in their push towards League One.

The formidable home record continued for the Ravens, with a quick turnaround ahead as they next face Oldham Athletic on Tuesday evening at Hayes Lane.

For now, though, it was a return to winning ways on a day when their rivals around them all dropped points.