STANLEY hot-shot Paul Mullin is confident Accrington can turn on another match-winning performance at third-placed Aldershot on Saturday.

The Reds seem to have no problem raising their game against the higher placed clubs, ending their four-game winless league run by defeating promotion-chasing Hereford 2-1 in front of the Sky television cameras on Monday.

Mullin scored twice and he is hopeful a similar punishment can be inflicted on the Shots, who lost in the play-off final last year.

This is especially as Stanley have grown in confidence and stature since the 2-1 loss to Aldershot on the opening day of the last campaign - their first Conference game.

"That match was a nightmare," said Mullin, who now has eight goals for the season and is second top scorer in the Conference. "It was the hottest day of the year, Jamo got sent off and it wasn't enjoyable. But we are 12 months more experienced now. Aldershot are a tough side to beat but they will come at us and that can work in our favour.

"It was a relief to get the points against Hereford - even if it was a bit scrappy. That keeps us up there and if we just stay in the top six, we know we have got a big enough squad and enough quality here to be up there challenging after Christmas. We just need to go on a run now and keep it going."

The Recreation Ground is a notoriously hard place to go with Aldershot winning five out of their six games there this season. They, like Stanley, made the switch to full-time status in the summer.

And the Reds have a host of injury problems.

Goalkeeper Jon Kennedy broke his leg in a freak training ground accident on Sunday and is set to have an operation on Friday at Wrightington Hospital. He will have a pot on for two weeks and then can start rehabilitation although January is the date set for his return.

Danny Alcock did well in goal against the Bulls but Coleman has signed 18-year-old Carl Ikeme on a month's loan from Wolves. He has come through the ranks and recently signed a four-year deal at Molineux.

"He has been on the bench in Premiership games and Dave Jones rang me as he knew I needed a keeper and recommended him," said Coleman.

Ged Brannan broke his hand in two places on Monday but Stanley are hoping he can play tomorrow and will not need an operation. Meanwhile, winger Rory Prendergast had a hernia operation on Thursday in Manchester and faces three months on the sidelines.

But midfielder Andy Procter is on his way back and played 45 minutes for the reserves in the 3-1 win over Chorley on Wednesday. He scored at Aldershot last season.

"I think everyone was surprised that Aldershot stayed the distance last year," said Coleman. "They may be suffering for it this year as people are now wary of them and know more about them.

"They have a good front two with Roscoe D'Sane, although he is struggling with an injury, and Tim Sills who is an honest, strong player with pace.

"Last year we went there and we did well despite it being the hottest day of the year and playing for 45 minutes with 10 men. I thought we should have won the game. I thought we were a better team than Aldershot overall but the table proved me wrong. They got stronger, we tailed off.

"But we have tended to perform well against the better teams so what we need to do, is make sure we don't lose there and then that keeps us in the pack. We need to make sure we stay up there by Christmas and then we can kick on.

"If we play to our strengths then we are more than a match for any side in this division. Hopefully our bad patch is over now."

  • STANLEY'S reserves are at Morecambe on Friday (ko 7.30pm).