"THERE are two games this season – Burton and Accrington – which we have lost and these are the matches I expect us to win." So said Aldershot boss Kevin Dillon after his side’s play-off charge was hampered by substitute Billy Kee’s winner which boosted the Reds’ own promotion bid on Tuesday.

Why teams would expect to beat Stanley in their current form is something John Coleman is shaking his head at.

For the last three seasons, the Reds have struggled at the wrong end of the table but there are few real thumpings which spring to mind in their league life and this season they are on the fringes of battling for League One status.

And while the Shots had won their three previous meetings with Stanley, they certainly have no divine right to expect three points – and Coleman says he hopes the perception of his team is now changing.

"I think teams are starting to realise that we aren’t bad and they are giving us respect," said Coleman. "I hope we are still talking about promotion in April and that’s our aim."

And if his side keeps producing performances like Tuesday – on the back of an energy-sapping clash with Fulham on Saturday – then there is no reason why they can’t go all the way.

Coleman was wary that his side could come a cropper after the 10 men ran themselves into the ground on Saturday and fans would have forgiven them for a slight hiccup if it had happened.

So to come out and get three points and do it in a relatively convincing fashion, again playing for the full 90 minutes without taking their foot off the gas, is testament to the team’s fitness, enthusiasm and, as Coleman says, "will to win."

Captain Andy¿Procter admitted the 3-1 defeat at Aldershot earlier this season hurt him as his side failed to perform.

So for him to score the opener was pleasing.

The skipper had to thank Jimmy Ryan though for a defence-splitting pass but Procter still had to shake off his marker to chest the ball down and tuck it into the bottom corner of the net.

It was what the Reds deserved against the then-sixth placed side as coveted striker Michael Symes had already hit the outside of the post while Ryan had tested Shots keeper Mikhael Jamiez-Ruiz.

Procter could have doubled his tally with a free header straight after the opener but he sent the ball straight into the keeper’s arms.

Stanley stopper Dean Bouzanis could sit back and relax as he wasn’t tested until the second half when Dillon changed his team formation. They went two up front and started to make more of an impact in the early stages.

But the way their goal came was bizarre. Stanley defender Phil Edwards slipped, with no Shots player close to him, fell on the ball in the area and was judged to have handled it by referee Anthony Taylor. Andy Sandells sent Bouzanis the wrong way from the spot.

Then there was the worry that tired legs and weary minds for the home side could lead to a Shots second and Bouzanis did well to keep out a swirling Marlon Jackson effort.

But the fresh impetus of sub Kee made the difference. He’d only been on the pitch three minutes but he ran onto Procter’s flick-on after a poor goal kick and beat his man to slide the ball past the onrushing keeper.

And then Stanley could have had more as they continued to compete for every ball, unwilling to let the three points slip away.

"I think that was our biggest win of the season," enthused Coleman. "They are a good side and I tip them for promotion but we deserved the win.

"When we conceded we didn’t sulk or go under like we might have done in the past but we stuck our chests out and went and got the next goal.

"There was great desire all over the park. It was always going to be difficult after Saturday, but there is a will to win here that you can’t put into a team, it just develops and the players all feed off each other.

"Proc took his goal well and I am pleased as he needs goals for his confidence while Billy is hungry, he has an eye for goal and he is a great character.

"I think Aldershot will be there in the shake up – I just hope we are talking about our play-off chances at the end of the season."