JAMES Beattie’s men stopped the rot with a 2-2 draw at home to Luton last week to register their first point of the new League 2 season.

But it doesn’t get any easier for the Reds as they make the short trip to visit Bury this Saturday.

Accy’s derby rivals were pre-season title favourites after a string of high-profile signings and have hit form after a poor start.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Plymouth made it seven points from nine for Bury, who are seventh after four games, while Stanley have edged above Oxford at the bottom.

And although the Reds lost 3-0 at Bury last season, manager Beattie is in a positive mood having been without the distraction of a midweek game.

"After three straight defeats in the league it was important to get something (against Luton)," he said. "The lads all agreed that it's a start for us, it's a building block in the wall.

"Stevo (assistant manager Paul Stephenson) said that we need to put some cement on that and put a few more on, and that's what we'll endeavour to do.

"Nothing will change with regards to my work ethic, we'll still work as hard as we can and the boys will come in and try to improve themselves
every day.

"Over the last few weeks the games have come thick and fast and now we've had a free week to properly work on some stuff we wanted to work on."

Stanley have keeper Luke Simpson available again after a one-match ban but ex-Bolton trainee Jay Lynch may remain in goal.

The Reds then host Carlisle United, who were relegated from League 1 last season, in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.