John Coleman wants his Stanley side to show the watching public what a good team they are. The Reds take on Stevenage over two legs in the League Two play-off semi-finals which are live on Sky.

They travel to Broadhall Way on Sunday (6.30pm ko) before the return leg at the Crown Ground a week today (7.45pm ko).

There is a huge buzz around the club as the fifth placed Reds look to clinch a place in the third tier of English football – where they last were in 1960.

"We are feeling really positive," said the Stanley chief. "We have always done well on television, especially in the league. I think the last time we lost on television in the league was the Conference opener at Aldershot in 2003.

"We have got a great set of lads here and we want to show the country how good we actually are."

Shrewsbury, who finished fourth, and seventh placed Torquay are the other two teams in the frame and Coleman doesn’t see any one of the four as big favourites. The Reds are on a 13-game unbeaten run and are the in-form team but Coleman thinks that will count for nothing coming into sudden-death.

"I don’t suppose there is a lot to choose between us. Three of the teams have been on a 10-game unbeaten run and the other team Stevenage won six or seven on the bounce to get in the play-offs originally.

"Stevenage have also been blighted by injuries and suspensions in the last few games so I don’t think you can read much into it.

"I think form won’t count for much now and the big thing will be luck. I think you need that little bit of luck in these games and hopefully it will be on our side.

"We have got a 25 per cent chance of making it into League One at the moment and, in the next week, we hope to make it a 50 per cent chance."

The Reds have never won at Broadhall Way and needed two late goals to force a draw there earlier in the season. "Stevenage have the meanest defence in the league in terms of goals conceded and Graham Westley will have them fired up and we will be too," continued Coleman.

"The big thing for us is to keep our heads and not be too pumped up. If you are too pumped up you can lose your shape – or worse – lose your discipline.

"We have a good record with just four sendings off this season – and two of them were in one game and most were soft – so we have got to make sure we keep it together and keep our feet on the ground.

"I think we can – Phil Edwards showed that as he was on nine yellow cards for a number of games but never got the 10th which would have led to a suspension.

"We have a cracking set of lads and I don’t think they will be overawed by the situation. We have had big games in the past against the likes of Newcastle and Fulham and competed well and we have also had big games to avoid relegation or in cup competitions.

"The main thing for us is to make sure we are still in the tie after Sunday for the second leg at home."

Coleman admits he is a big fan of the play-off system. Without them Shrewsbury would have been promoted automatically and the Reds boss said: "I think they have been the major development in English football. It keeps the season alive. Some may say it’s unfair but it keeps everyone’s season ticking over and everyone knows what it’s all about when they go into it.

"I have never been involved in them before and I will tell you if I like them in a few weeks’ time!"

Stanley have been termed as ‘unfashionable’ by national press in the past but that doesn’t bother Coleman. "We may be unfashionable in terms of size, our ground, wages and resources but certainly not in the football we play."

The Reds boss reports no injury worries with Ian Craney overcoming a hamstring strain.

STANLEY are hoping for a sell-out second leg at the Crown Ground next Friday after tickets went on general sale.

As the Observer went to press they had 1500 left with the Clayton End sold out. Seated tickets cost £15 for adults, £10 for senior citizens and £6 for under 16s and students. Coppice terrace tickets are £13 for adults, £8 for senior citizens and £5 for under 16s and students. They are available online at www.wearestanley.co.uk; from the Crown Ground or telephone 01254 356950.

Tickets for Sunday’s first leg at Stevenage are only available at the turnstiles at Broadhall Way. There is a supporters’ coach costing £20, leaving at 11am. Contact 07545 049294.