Stanley manager John Coleman believes his side have pulled off a coup after the signing of midfielder Scott Brown.

The 30-year-old joins Stanley after spending the last two years at National League side Grimsby Town.

He has previously worked with Coleman during their time at Southport, and the Reds boss expects him to hit the ground running.

“I think he’s a top player. He’s a good character, has got a tremendous will to win and he’ll fit in with our lads seamlessly,” he told the club’s official website.

“It hasn’t quite worked out for him at Grimsby but while I was at Southport and while I was out of the Football League I was telling everyone I knew in the Football League to go and get him because I thought he was an exceptional talent.

“He did ever so well in helping us avoid relegation at Southport and if we’d had better finances in place we probably would have signed him here in the summer but it just wasn’t to be.”

Brown has arrived at Accrington on a deal until the end of the season, and he is excited to link up with some familiar faces.

“I was at Southport with John Coleman and Jimmy Bell so I know them well,” he said. “I went to Grimsby and we got to the play-offs last season but I broke a bone in my ankle in pre-season and so I haven’t been playing and it hasn’t worked out for me.

“Coley got in touch and gave me the opportunity to come here and it’s great to be back in the league.

“Accrington are obviously doing well in the league, so it’s a case of trying to break into the team now.”