John Coleman will be implementing more sessions in the lashing down rain after it helped Stanley to their FA Cup win over League One Oldham on Saturday.

The boss was disappointed after the Reds had gone five games without a win and slipped down the League Two table.

So Thursday prior to the Latics clash was a double session, in the pouring rain, and Coleman believes that’s helped build the character to see the reds through to the second round.

The Reds chief said: "The lads worked hard this week, they were out in the lashing rain until five o’ clock on Thursday and they were determined to get it right.

"We showed a lot of character and we were magnificent.

"I wanted the players to come off the pitch dying on their feet, no matter what the result, and they did."

But, typical Stanley, they never make anything easy for their fans.

At 3-0 up, the Reds were seemingly cruising – and could have had more goals in the bag – but then Oldham scored two in six minutes, had a goal disallowed and hit the post in injury time to make sure that the Reds fans were biting their nails until the final whistle.

And while the home supporters didn’t appreciate the Oldham late double which meant it was a grandstand finish at the Crown Ground, Coleman was actually quite pleased.

"Now it’s over I am quite glad they scored the two and examined us for the last 15 minutes because then the defence have passed the test," he said. "They have stood up and been been counted and defended magnificently, even though we have conceded two.

"We have been making too many individual errors and, even though we conceded two on Saturday, I thought we defended well.

"It was a fantastic game, maybe not for the faint hearted but, except the 20 minutes when they put us under immense pressure, The players couldn’t have given any more.

"Going forward we were magnificent and we could have gone 5-0 up.

"I think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Oldham fans must admit we were the better side over the 90 minutes and going forward we played some great stuff.

"But, give them their due, they are a good side and are not within touching distance of making the play-offs for the Championship for nothing, and they showed the class towards the end when they put us under extreme pressure."

For all Coleman’s praise of his backline – who had conceded 24 goals in their previous eight games – the day really belong to midfielder Ray Putterill.

The 21-year-old had a record of scoring in the cup games with his four goals for the Reds coming in knock-out ties.

He hit a wonder goal against Newcastle in the Carling Cup and scored against Tranmere in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy but then the Reds were thrown out of the competition as Putterill was banned, having meant to be serving a 42-day ban picked up while playing amateur football last season.

But he said he wanted to make amends for that and, on his return to the starting XI, he showed purpose from the off.

He scored a superb solo effort to open the scoring on eight minutes, ghosting past the static Latics defence and firing low past Dean Brill.

He set up Jimmy Ryan for the second, rushing down the left, tricking his way past the defence and playing in an accurate ball which Ryan tapped home.

Then number three came after the break when Luke Joyce had hit the post, Oldham had failed to clear their lines and Joyce’s shot was pushed out by Brill for former Liverpool trainee Putterill to run onto and fire home.

And he could have had a hat-trick but Brill denied him when one-on-one.

"Ray is a fantastic talent and, when he’s in the mood that he was in on Saturday, he borders on the unstoppable," praised Coleman.

But there were a lot of big shows from the Reds. Keeper Ian Dunbavin won his place back and didn’t do a lot wrong despite the final two goals.

Sean Hessey, after a few games at left back and being dropped to the bench against Chesterfield, returned to the centre half slot and did well against the League One strikers.

Luke Joyce also put in a solid midfield shift as he seeks a regular starting place.

And finally Burnley loanee Kevin Long, who has been sent off and conceded two penalties so far in his short Stanley career, played his part in the victory.

"It’s been difficult for Kevin and he wasn’t 100 per cent," added Coleman. "But he showed a lot of character to battle to the end and he didn’t want to come off. He had a particularly good game and Sean Hessey was magnificent. He was hurting that he was left out during the week and he has responded."

Coleman believes his team will take heart from this show after stuttering in the league.

"We have got to get back believing that we are a good side and that’s what we told the players before the game because we are a good side.

"We have gone through a sticky patch and we have got to fight our way through. We have got to show more than just ability but we have to show character too and we have."

That character was tested when Warren Feeney fired home to make it 3-1 and then Dale Stephens converted a penalty after Dean Winnard was harshly judged to have fouled Filipe Morais.

The 1,200-strong Oldham contingent were urging their side forward and a few invaded the pitch when Feeney slotted home again – but it was ruled offside.

And then, in injury time, Paul Black’s chip took a wicked deflection and crashed against the woodwork, allowing Stanley to dream of a repeat of last season’s exciting trip to the fourth round and the chance of another Premier League big gun.