Stanley boss John Coleman knows a true test of his side’s League Two promotion credentials will be if they bounce back at Macclesfield tomorrow.

The Reds boss apologised to the travelling fans for his side’s below par show in the 4-0 defeat at Northampton on Tuesday.

He admitted it was frustrating as, after coming within touching distance of the play-offs with eighth spot on Saturday, they have slipped back to tenth although they have games in hand.

But Coleman is now urging his players to show him that this was just a freak result after only their second defeat in nine league games

"We did not play well and you have got to hope that it was just a one-off and we will bounce back," said the Reds boss.

"The way we played took me totally by surprise as we gifted them the goals.

"We haven’t had many performances like that this season and I have to hope that it was just one of those games.

"The players are as disappointed as me and they can’t wait for tomorrow to hopefully put it right.

"Saying that, we have taken nine points out of 12 and if we take another nine points out of the next 12 available I won’t complain.

"We are still in a good position and if someone had said we would be here at the start of the season, we would have snatched their hands off - but we need to bounce back."

The defeat came on the back of a strong performance against Morecambe with a 3-2 win on Saturday but the worrying thing is the Reds have conceded 12 goals in their last six games.

"We have virtually wiped out our goal difference in one game which is frustrating as we have worked hard this season to keep clean sheets," he continued. "We have got to learn from our mistakes though and it was down to individual errors on Tuesday night.

"We didn’t work their keeper enough or put the pressure on them and allowed them to seize the initiative. It’s worse as Northampton have now gone above us although we have got games in hand."

Skipper Andy Procter admitted: "The gaffer went mad but he had every right too as it was a bad performance by us from one through to 11.

"We were struggling and then conceded three goals in quick succession. The thing now is all about bouncing back and that’s what the gaffer has told us.

"We just have to hope it’s a blip as it’s massive that we get back to winning ways and keep in touch with those clubs in the top seven.

"We have been on a winning run but that defeat has brought us back down to earth with a big bump and now we need to put it right for the Macclesfield game.

"I think that the defeat has shown us how quickly things can change.

"We were eighth spot on Saturday and looking up and suddenly we have dropped to tenth, all the results went against us on Tuesday night and that’s why we need to go out and put it right tomorrow and on Tuesday at Lincoln."

Phil Edwards came off at Sixfields with a cut head but will return tomorrow while Coleman says he won’t yet plunder the loan market, despite the transfer embargo being lifted at the Crown Ground.

"I won't do it yet but I wouldn't rule it out before the end of the season," he said.

While disappointed, the defeat can’t override what has been a stunning season so far with Bobby Grant hitting 15 goals with his double against Morecambe.

Coleman added: "Bobby has just got to keep it going now. He has a hunger for goals and his aim is now to get to 20 and carry on.

"But Jimmy Ryan also scored against Morecambe and, by his own admission, he hasn’t scored as many as he would have liked this season and we have got to get players chipping in from all over."

- STANLEY reserves played Morecambe on Wednesday with the two Mullin brothers - Paul and John - up against each other. Paul Mullin scored for the Shrimps while Billy Kee scored both goals in the Reds 2-1 win.