'DEFEND better or we will face a heavy defeat' is what Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has warned his players.

The Reds have conceded four goals in their last two drawn games at Mansfield and Bury - and it could have been more.

And he knows his side need to shut up shop properly tomorrow (Sat) against one of the teams tipped to go up, Wycombe Wanderers, who have a prolific strikeforce in Tommy Mooney and Jermaine Easter.

"We can't be giving teams the chances which we have been doing," said Coleman.

"That's four goals conceded in two games and it could have been a lot more. We could have come away with conceding 10 out of the last two games on the chances you have seen.

"If we keep defending the way we are doing, someone is going to smash six or seven past us. We have to draw from this experience and make sure it doesn't happen.

"I know when we play well we are a match for anybody in this league. We can pass the ball really well, we can create chances and score goals but we have got to start keeping them out at the other end. We have taken a step backwards defensively recently."

The boss knows third placed Wycombe will be a hard game - followed by fourth placed Swindon the week after and with leaders Walsall coming up soon.

"It is going to be a tough time for us," continued the Reds chief. "We are under no illusions as we expected a tough ride in this league. Having said that, we are a lot happier taking on Wycombe in the league than if they were still a Conference side.

"Wycombe have got big ambitions and a lot of belief in themselves and we have to make coming to our ground an uncomfortable experience.

"We do generally do well at home, we have done over the last few years, and if our last two home performances are anything to go by, especially the 5-0 win over Wrexham, then I think we can do well.

"In the home games, we are expected to make the running and we will be going all out to win."

He is expecting Wycombe's forwards to be on a par with the strikers Stanley have encountered so far in League Two.

"The one thing I have noticed is the quality of finishing is a lot better in this league," said Coleman.

"You get punished for mistakes a lot more although you might say the quality of goalkeeping is as good at the moment, especially the way our keeper Ian Dunbavin is performing."

Dunbavin has been man of the match in the last two games with a string of stunning saves but Stanley are still looking for that elusive first away win.

"To be honest, I would rather have won one and lost one. Mansfield and Bury are two teams in the bottom half of the league and we are searching for an away win and we need to rack up as many points as early as we can.

"Then it will take the pressure off us for the second half of the season."

Stanley have no new injury worries for tomorrow.