Defiant Stanley boss John Coleman insists his side will take their place in the League Two play-off final this month.
The Reds would appear to have it all to do as they trail Stevenage 2-0 going into tonight’s second leg at the Crown Ground.
Nevertheless, the Reds boss believes their home form will be enough to carry them through to a date with either Torquay United or Shrewsbury Town on May 28.
"We’ve bounced back after we’ve had a defeat and I think the last 11 teams who have come to Accrington have had three goals put past them," he said.
"I said to the players at half-time that if we kept a clean sheet in the second half, then we’ll go to Old Trafford and I stand by that."
Things could have been different had Sean McConville and Jimmy Ryan not spurned glorious chances to pull a goal back at the Lamex Stadium.
Midway through the second half, McConville was one-on-one with Stevenage keeper Chris Day and, rather than shoot, he attempted to round him.
The former Oldham keeper managed to divert the ball away, only to Ryan, who somehow prodded wide of an open goal.
That, along with other incidents during the game, leaves Coleman optimistic his side can progress.
He said: "We should have been back in the tie in the last half-hour because we missed two sitters and they showed enough wobbles to show me that the tie isn’t dead.
"Sean should have scored, and if he doesn’t, then Jimmy definitely should; you think it’s going to be one of those nights but we’ve shown a lot of spirit and character this season.
"They conceded three against Bury last week so they aren’t great defensively.
"They kept a clean sheet more by luck than design – we made it easy for their defence.
"I’d like to think they think it’s over by the way they celebrated; I think they think it’s over."
As the Observer went to press, all the seats had been sold for tonight’s second leg with a minimal number of standing tickets available. For those who can’t get to the Crown Ground, it is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm with kick-off 15 minutes later.
