JOHN Coleman said no one would run away with the Conference title this season - but, for once, he will be pleased to be wrong!

Chester and Barnet clinched the title in the last two seasons by taking charge early on and pressing on but, at the start of this campaign, the Stanley boss believed it would be a tight league.

But his prediction was off the mark as the Reds raced a staggering 16 points clear at the top of the table on Monday night ahead of Tuesday's games.

And it was made all the sweeter as they saw off local rivals and second placed Morecambe live on Sky television in front of their biggest crowd of the season of more than 3,000.

Stanley do just seem to love the cameras.

They have been in front of them eight times now and lost just once - on the opening day of their Conference life against Aldershot.

Since then they have gone from strength to strength and a run of 15 league games unbeaten - with 13 wins in that - means it would take a mighty fall for the Reds to fail to make an emotional return to the Football League.

But don't mention that the title is in the bag to Coleman as he keeps himself and his troops level headed for the run-in.

"I still think Hereford, Stevenage and whoever will have a say in the title," said the boss, who will hope he is wrong again.

"We have just got to keep our heads down and not worry about anyone else. The minute you start to look back you tend to fall over.

"We defended well against Morecambe. We knew the way they were set up and we anticipated they would play five across midfield so we had to get in and about them and put them under pressure and we did.

"We got our goal and forced them to change their play but we didn't go on and see it out.

"We had a good couple of chances to score and we didn't and then they put us under a little bit of pressure and Robbie (Elliot) has made a great save although he didn't have too much to do."

The goal heroes - as of Friday - were recent signing Andy Todd who now has two in two games and Stanley stalwart Paul Mullin, with three in two matches and 14 goals for the season.

"Toddy's was a great goal and I can't believe Mullers got his goal in from that angle. It was a fantastic finish," said Coleman.

"But the whole team has worked hard. There is a determination about them which is refreshing at this level and we have just got to try and see it out.

"What we have got is a talented squad of players and, if you get your talented players on the ball at the right time in the right areas, you can hurt teams. Fortunately for us, at the moment, we are hurting teams."

Coleman did make one change following on from Friday's win over Gravesend with defender Phil Edwards suspended and patched-up Peter Cavanagh stepping into his old right back role as he battled through a knee injury.

Promotion-chasers Morecambe had billed it as a must-win match and they started with Wayne Curtis trying to press on the left wing and Chris Blackburn keeping a tight rein on Stanley winger Gary Roberts.

But it all changed when a Cavanagh throw was flicked back by Rommy Boco to Todd on the edge of the area. He saw a space and struck the ball well, tucking it nicely into the bottom of the net beyond the diving on loan Blackburn Rovers keeper, Steven Drench.

Todd admitted he hit it well.

"It just came off Boco and I gambled and it came to me and I took a touch. I could see Gary Roberts outside me and could have put him in but, the way their defenders were, I could see there was a bit of a gap so I thought just have a go and I struck it well.

"I normally do strike a ball quite well with either foot and it was nice live on television and made us get an ascendancy in the game.

"It was a good time to score for us and then it was a case of making sure we defended well and making sure we won the game to kick us on towards getting the points so no one can catch us."

Ex-Burton winger Todd admitted he is enjoying life at his new club and his recent scoring streak.

"I can't believe I have gone from sitting on the bench at a mid-table club to be playing regulary at the top of the tabe in the Conference. It is quite a shock!

"But obviously I came here for one reason to play and that's why I am giving it my best shot. I am grateful for Accrington to give me the chance to put a bit a kit on and get out on the pitch.

"The last few games, with the wins and a couple of goals, I am showing people what I am capable of."

Stanley were still celebrating taking the one-goal lead when Drench was picking number two out of the net.

A long ball forward had ex-Stanley defender Darran Kempson and Drench confused on the edge of the area.

Kempson headed it back but the keeper had come out and, although Drench had got a hand to it, all he could do was push it behind him.

Mullin was there to pounce but it did look like he had gone too close to the by-line but the striker finished superbly to virtually roll the ball across the goalline and into the far corner of the net.

Two goals in three minutes seemed to knock the stuffing out of Morecambe although Curtis did huff and puff on the left wing in the final minutes of the first half as he strove to create an opening while former Red Ged Brannan tried to steer his side to a goal his side so desperately needed before half-time.

However, it was the Reds who could have had a third when Ian Craney's deflected shot from the edge of the area was seen late by Drench, but he got down low to halt it on the goalline.

Sammy McIlroy's side came more into it after the break as the game became more open as they pressed.

Still, however, the better chances belonged to the Reds with a Gary Roberts ball in just whistling past the outstretched foot of Robbie Williams four yards from goal.

The Morecambe boss had to gamble and he put put on striker Danny Carlton and winger Michael Twiss and their introduction did force Stanley on the backfoot.

And sub Twiss then forced Rob Elliot into a superb save. The winger turned and volleyed on 80 minutes and it was heading for the back of the net but Elliot got his hand behind the ball for another great save. He seems to make at least one world class save a match recently.

The defence then all made some superb last ditch tackles in the final minutes as Morecambe piled on the pressure and Stanley held on for a win they can watch time and time again.

"We had to work hard," admitted Coleman. "You could see in the last five minutes we had four of five people chasing after the ball and we never gave them a second.

"Gary Roberts was back winning tackles on edge of his own box. And Leam Richardson and Ian Craney also were winning tackles and were all prepared to chase down.

"If you are prepared to work hard, and have ability in the bank, then it comes through."