Stanley manager John Coleman has admitted that his side are currently in a relegation battle.

The Reds have lost their last four matches, with Saturday’s home game with Northampton Town ending in a humiliating 5-1 defeat. It leaves Coleman’s team just five points clear of the League Two relegation zone, and he insists that survival is now the aim this season.

“We’re definitely in a relegation battle and we need to stop the rot,” he said.

“Someone always goes into freefall at this stage of the season and at the moment it looks like that is us.

“It’s been disappointing as of late but we have time on our side to put it right and ensure that we stay in this division.

“I’ve got to take responsibility for what has happened and I’m realistic enough to know that the buck stops with me.

“I’m responsible for team selection and it’s clear I picked the wrong side on Saturday, and I’m also responsible for recruitment and it seems I’ve recruited the wrong players.

“I’ve put faith in too many players that have proved not to be good enough.

“We’ve got to get back on track and I’ve got to go out and try and get some good players.

“I’ve made some culpable errors and I’ve been punished for it but I’m determined to put it right.”

That defeat came 24 hours after the departure of key defender Tom Aldred, who made 92 consecutive starts for the Reds after making his debut in a 3-0 win at Rochdale in February 2013.

Centre-half Aldred made a permanent move to Blackpool on deadline day after the Championship strugglers had initially signed the 24-year-old on an emergency loan so he’d be available for their home match against Brighton the following day.

Accrington will now look to return to winning ways when they travel to Plymouth Argyle this weekend. Plymouth have failed to win any of their last seven league matches. Stanley came out on top when the two teams met earlier this season, picking up a narrow 1-0 victory back in September.

A first-half strike from Kal Naismith was enough to secure all three points.