IAN CRANEY has vowed to win tomorrow's (Sat) Sky televised clash with Conference leaders Grays Athletic for his skipper Peter Cavanagh (ko12pm).

The captain is on his way back from an ankle injury but will miss the match due to the funeral of his brother Anthony, 22, who died after he was punched once on a night out in Liverpool.

Craney, who knew Anthony, is gutted he and his team-mates will miss today's funeral but the Stanley players have got their own message for their captain.

"We have had T-shirts printed with a special message on just for Cav and we are going to show them when we score," said the midfielder, who hopes the Reds can continue their run of scoring in every game so far this season. "This will give us an extra incentive to win and we are all going to try and win for Cav. And I would love to be the one to score - it would mean so much."

Cavanagh has promised his brother he will win the league for him and his team-mates could go some way to making this happen tomorrow.

"We know it is a huge game for us as if we beat them, we will get closer to them," continued Craney, with the Reds in third place, four points behind Grays. "And there is the extra incentive of being on television as if we all play well and win, I will be made up."

It is a massive game for the Reds as they want to show the nation that they can do something no one else has done this season - and beat Grays in the league. The leaders have equalled Kettering's record of the best start to the season with 15 games unbeaten.

Mark Stimson's men are hoping to claim the record for themselves on TV tomorrow but it is also a significant game in Stanley's history - it is their 100th Conference match - and they hope to show the watching millions that they mean business.

"We are not worried about Grays or their record - we just want a win," said boss John Coleman. "Apart from our defeat at Aldershot in our opening Conference game, we have done well on television. We have beaten Huddersfield, we won against Bournemouth on penalties, we beat Halifax and Hereford. Let's hope this is our a fifth victory.

"Grays are a decent side. They have come into this league and have done well. It is different to when we came into the Conference as they are full-time, are paying a lot of money out and have been able to attract the best players in their area, and many have played in the Conference before. But that is not taking anything away from the fact, they have done well. They have got a couple of late goals which shows they have a lot of character in their side. But they are a team that everyone wants to beat - including us.

"If we can beat them we then have a run of four home games where we should pick up the points."

Coleman has been fielding some youngsters in his line-up recently including 19-year-olds Danny Ventre, Anthony Barry and Andy Mangan.

For former Chester defender Ventre it will be his debut in front of the cameras but he is determined not to get stage fright if he plays.

Ventre admitted: "It will be my first time on Sky and hopefully all my family will be watching but I am sure I will just take it as it comes and forget about the cameras."

And Coleman has been impressed with his youngsters - although he doesn't want to put them under too much pressure.

"They have played a lot of games. I don't think Anthony Barry will have ever played what I deem 15 competitive games on the spin at this level and I think it is perhaps taking its toll."

It means he might change things around as he is hoping defender Robbie Williams has recovered from an ankle injury although he is still a doubt. Andy Tretton is still about two weeks off so Wigan loan player Phil Edwards could start again while his Premiership team-mate, Kevin Lee may also get a chance.

Meanwhile, Stanley have re-arranged two matches. The Reds were due to play Tamworth on December 3 but due to the Lambs involvement in the FA Cup, they will face Altrincham at home instead. That game has been brought forward from 24 January. And, the away tie at Southport, scheduled for New Year's Eve, will now be played 24 hours earlier on 30 December (ko 3pm).

  • IAN Craney hopes to collect his fifth England cap when he travels with the National XI side to Belgium in a European Championship game on Tuesday. The 23-year-old flies out on Sunday and will return immediately after the game so he can start preparing for next Friday's clash with Forest Green. "It is always good to go and it is a good experience," said Craney. " My ambition now is to score for England."

Winger Gary Roberts missed out on the last 16 although, due to FA Cup replays, there is always the chance he could get a late call-up.

  • POLICE have not yet charged anyone following the death of Anthony Cavanagh.