Manager John Coleman has challenged Stanley to avenge their FA Cup defeat by Yeovil – by replacing the Glovers in League One.

Yeovil scored two late goals to win Tuesday night’s second-round replay at Huish Park and deny the Reds a dream tie at home to Manchester United in the third round.

Coleman felt Stanley were the better side over the two games with Yeovil, who are a division above the Reds.

But he has urged his players to channel their despair into launching a bid for promotion from League Two.

And with Yeovil fourth-bottom in League One, he believes they could be destined to head in the opposite direction.

“We’ve got to use this as motivation,” said Coleman.

“We’ve got to try to take their place in League One. There’s no reason why we can’t because I think we’re
better than them.

“We’ve got good players who can mount a challenge and we’ve got to use that as maybe the
consolation prize.

“Although it wouldn’t be a consolation prize, it’d be a better prize than the United game.

“That’s not sour grapes at all. Obviously you want to be in there and have your moment in the sun.

“But January 4 will come and go and you’re left with what’s left of the season, and no disrespect to Yeovil but I think we’ve a lot more to look forward to in the league campaign than they have.”

While Coleman was in bullish mood after the Cup exit, his players looked distraught.

But the Stanley boss insists they’ll be fired up for tomorrow’s match at home to League Two leaders Wycombe.

“We’ve got a great bunch of lads, a great camaraderie, a great team spirit and a great work ethic so it won’t be a problem picking them up,” he said. “In fact it’ll be difficult keeping the reins on them. I know they’re hurting and they want to put it right and the only way to do that is by winning games.”

Stanley warmed up for the Cup replay by going to Portsmouth last Saturday and pulling off a superb 3-2 victory.

Pompey were one of the pre-season promotion favourites and only one other side had won at Fratton Park in the league this season so Coleman is confident the Reds will pose a threat to table-
topping Wycombe too.

John O’Sullivan and Sean Maguire will come back into contention having been ineligible for the Cup, although O’Sullivan is battling to overcome an injury he picked up at Portsmouth.

“We’ve got good players – and two of our regulars didn’t play on Tuesday night,” Coleman added.

“We’re more than capable of making a challenge for the play-offs.

“I know that, the players know that. But you can talk till you’re blue in the face – we have to go and prove it.

“There’s no point
worrying about the Cup. We’ve got a league campaign to concentrate on now and that’s more than enough for me.”

Coleman also praised the 167 Stanley fans that made the long trip to Somerset.

“They were magnificent, to spend their had-earned money just before
Christmas and give up their time,” he said.

“I hope we can reward them with a win on Saturday and I hope people realise how hard we’re working to try to get the club going forward.

“If people come to support us it’ll make our job a lot easier.”