Notts County 4-1 Accrington
- Published
Bender made his comeback by coming off the bench at Notts County
Tom Bender made his first appearance since suffering a serious head injury in October but could not prevent Notts County from crushing Accrington in the first round of the FA Cup.
Karl Hawley put the hosts ahead with a dinked finish and Alan Judge made the most of lax marking to hit a second.
Bender came off the bench before team-mate Andy Proctor saw red and Alan Sheehan scored a free-kick for 3-0.
Luke Joyce pulled one back before Hawley confidently rolled home.
Bender, 18, had not played since a head injury caused the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie between Stanley and Tranmere to be abandoned on 4 October, external.
The defender was treated for 30 minutes on the pitch following the collision and later regained consciousness in hospital after being diagnosed with severe concussion.
His arrival on the pitch at Meadow Lane shortly after half-time was greeted with applause from all four sides of the ground.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Notts County manager Martin Allen told BBC Radio Nottingham:
Notts moved the ball well - Allen
"The team played very well. You always know John Coleman's team are going to put up a tough game.
"We did get it down and pass it and move it around the pitch. It's got to be said our lads did play very well today.
"Obviously they did have a player sent off which didn't help them but with a player sent off we've seen it all before you've still got to move the ball around the pitch - not get slack."