THE "P" word has been banned around the Interlink but the Reds edged a point closer on Saturday.
A win against play-off contenders Stevenage was never going to be a foregone conclusion and, with Stanley down to ten men and trailing 1-0, it looked ominous.
But a touch of class from substitute Andy Todd - who arrived late and couldn't start after being stuck in traffic - got the Reds another point nearer their ultimate target.
Fans have got so used to winning - 16 victories in the last 20 unbeaten league games - that a draw was greeted with an edge of disappointment.
But, as boss John Coleman said, that could be a vital point come the end of the season.
The title is still wide open made so by the Reds' draw and second placed Hereford's victory over Burton which cut the gap to 11 points at the top of the table with eight games to play.
However, it could have been so much worse for the Reds with a league defeat looking on the cards for the first time since Boro beat them way back in October and they came so close to losing their coveted record of scoring in every game so far this season.
But Todd's blast 11 minutes from time means the run-in promises to be a nail-biter as the Reds seek a Football League return.
"It has opened it right up," confirmed Coleman. "I just hope it will calm all the euphoria of people saying we have already won the league - because we haven't."
The Reds boss was certainly not amused to lose one of his season records though. Stanley have not conceded a goal in the first 15 minutes of any league game but it only took 90 seconds for this to disappear on Saturday.
A back pass by Gary Roberts in windy conditions caught out Rob Elliot who miskicked the ball onto the wing. Jon Nurse got it and played in a cross which Darryn Stamp somehow bundled over the line - with Stanley claiming he used his hand and Elliot being booked for his protests.
"It was a freak goal and the lads are adamant it was handled," said Coleman. "But it is one of those things and you have got to get on with it."
Stanley, not helped by the strong wind, were unable to get their first shot on target until Rommy Boco volleyed from the edge of the area on 15 minutes and keeper Alan Julian did well to push out the shot.
There was plenty of defending for Stanley and Phil Edwards was called on to make another vital clearance off the line after a George Boyd shot was pushed out by Elliot and bobbled around before the right back hooked it out of danger.
And the Stanley keeper did well to keep out a Dino Maamria diving low header.
The fans expected more from the Reds after the break and they certainly looked livelier testing Julian more in the opening minutes than they had done in the entire first half.
Edwards was on the hunt for his first Stanley goal with a 30-yard volley which was just wide while Todd came on as Stanley livened up.
Roberts, on his 22nd birthday, fired over from a tight angle and a Roberts and Leam Richardson one-two ended with Mullin unusually side-footing way off target in the six yard box.
Then the game erupted in front of the dug-outs on 54 minutes. Richardson's tackle on Dannie Bulman was two-footed and the referee didn't hesitate to pull the red card from his pocket. A mini brawl ensued but only Boro's Nurse picked up a booking as Bulman lay on the floor having lengthy treatment before hobbling off.
But, instead of ten-man Stanley's heads dropping, they seemed to be inspired and should have taken the lead a minute later.
Mullin set up David Brown four yards from goal but his shot was weak and rolled into the waiting Julian's hands.
Coleman then introduced pacey frontman Andy Mangan as Stanley looked for the equaliser but, despite a flurry of free kicks around the area, they came to nothing.
It needed a moment of magic - and it came out of nothing. A long ball forward was brought down by Mullin and he set up Todd who, between two Boro defenders, unleashed an unstoppable shot that almost broke the back of the net.
"It was like it was fired from a gun," enthused Coleman.
It set up an exciting finish which could have gone either way but Welch and Williams were fantastic at the back in halting Boro breakaways while Stanley just couldn't get the winner.
