ACCRINGTON Stanley loanee John O’Sullivan described his debut as a dream after scoring twice in the Reds’ 5-4 win at Northampton Town.

The 21-year-old had only been with the club for 24 hours after signing on loan from Blackburn Rovers, but he was influential in Stanley’s thrilling victory as John Coleman and Jimmy Bell marked their return to the Reds with three points.

As well as finding the back of the net twice, including a superb solo second, O’Sullivan set up another one in the victory at Sixfields.

“There was a lot of pressure as it was my first game,” he said. “It was Northampton away and there were a lot of expectations.

“But I got two goals and an assist and I couldn’t have asked for a better start.

“When you are one-on-one you are expected to score and thank goodness I did. I haven’t scored many in pre-season so to score two on my debut is perfect for me.”

It was the Republic of Ireland under 21 international’s second that really caught the eye though.

“I beat my man, looked up, saw no-one was in the box and just thought I would score myself,” said O’Sullivan.

“There was nothing else on and I just thought I’d have a go and thankfully it went in.”

When O’Sullivan left the pitch with 10 minutes to go the Reds were in total control, but they were left clinging on after a late Cobblers rally. He was withdrawn with Stanley 4-2 up, before fellow debutant Sean Maguire netted a fifth.

But Stanley conceded twice in the final minute meaning it was a nervous finish for the new boy and the rest of the Reds bench.

“It was a bit nerve racking though when I came off in the last 10 minutes as we were 5-2 up and then it went to 5-4 but we held on for a great result,” added O’Sullivan.

“They are a great group of lads – there is good mixture of young lads and a few senior lads and they have all welcomed me from when I came in on Friday.

“There have been no ifs and buts – they have all made me feel at home.

“And it doesn’t matter if I hadn’t scored two or got an assist as long as we had won and now we want to push up the table.”

O’Sullivan also revealed that his boss at Ewood Park, Gary Bowyer, had been in touch to wish him luck.

He made his debut for Rovers at the end of the 2012/13 season, and enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Conference side Southport last term.

He is highly rated at Ewood and sees his loan spell at the Store First Stadium as an ideal opportunity to improve his game.

“Gary Bowyer text me on Friday night and I am sure he will be on the phone again,” added O’Sullivan.

“Everyone has been looking out for me, they know the potential I have and I am just happy to get the win for the lads.

“In my month here, I want to help Accrington Stanley and progress as a player.”