STANLEY manager John Coleman admitted back-to-back wins were something he could only dream about about less than a month ago.

The last time the Reds managed their one and only League Two double was in September when they saw off Wrexham and Boston.

And since then they haven't been able to buy two wins on the trot leaving them on the verge of the drop zone and anxiously looking over the shoulders.

But his team have made this dream come true and now they have to achieve his ultimate ambition - and stay up.

Six points in the last two games has let them breath slightly easier - although the teams around them have also rallied in their survival bid making the last seven league games even more nail-biting stuff.

But Coleman admits his side now have new-found confidence - thanks to a mixture of the old and the new.

Goalie David Martin hasn't had too much to do in Stanley's wins over Torquay and last Saturday's victory over Hereford but the Reds' side seem to have every belief in the Liverpool keeper and he hasn't yet conceded a goal.

And the fans have taken quickly to the towering figure of centre half Godwin Antwi, on loan from Anfield, who seems to get his foot and head to everything.

But it was the longer-serving players who came up with the goods on Saturday to make sure, whatever happens today when the Reds face the Football League charge of fielding two ineligible players, that on the pitch they are giving it their all.

It was a rare start for striker David Brown who, despite limited opportunities, has still managed to score four goals this season.

And none will have been as special as the one against his former club where he fired an unstoppable shot from 20 yards into the net to more than justify getting the starting nod.

Peter Cavanagh tipped himself to score again last week after netting the winner against Torquay from a free kick.

Coleman said they had every belief that their skipper would repeat the feat and he duly obliged firing home a more spectacular set piece than the one which seemed to bobble home against the Gulls.

But it didn't matter how they went in - what mattered was they did and it has set it up nicely for the finale of what has been a roller-coaster season.

"It's like buses isn't it?" said a relieved Coleman after the match.

"You wait 30-odd games for back-to- back wins and then two come at once.

"It was the same for clean sheets - we have now not conceded a goal for three-and-a-half hours and that will do the players' confidence the world of good.

"We have been plagued by silly mistakes at the back this season and that is probably why we are in the position we are.

"But I thought we played some terrific football against Hereford, scored some wonderful goals and defended really well. And we could have made it more clean cut."

The only blot on the day was the dismissal of an outraged Brown close to the final whistle when he tackled Danny Thomas who was ready to break away in his own half.

While the striker - playing in midfield - was willing to accept it was late, it was neither high or denying the Bulls a goalscoring opportunity and only referee Graham Laws seemed to think an early bath was the answer calling it "serious foul play".

Coleman and all the Stanley players were furious and Brown's former manager Graham Turner admitted he didn't think the crime deserved that punishment.

"I don't think it was a sending off," said the Hereford boss.

But the Reds players rallied around their colleague amd it only served to show what a strong team spirit there is at Stanley - and Saturday was a good team showing.

Everyone played their part and challenged for every ball, covered for each other and had a go.

Mid-table Hereford, who have now lost four on the run, just couldn't get going and they didn't have a chance until the final 10 minutes - and by then the Reds had the three points nicely sewn up.

It was a surprise to see Brown get a place in the starting line-up although Coleman had problems with Jay Harris and Phil Edwards suspended - and the hitman usually does get the go-ahead to start against his old club by Coleman.

Both sides tested each other out in the opening 20 minutes but once the Reds got going, there only looked on winner.

Antwi had a header cleared off the line while Boco tested Bulls keeper Wayne Brown from close range as the Reds suddenly upped the tempo.

Then came the opening goal which Brown executed perfectly but speedy winger Shaun Whalley set it up.

Whalley raced from inside his own half with Simon Travis unable to handle him and and squared to Brown to smash home the opener.

"It was a smashing goal by David," said Coleman. "He had a great second half where he got the ball down and made some incisive runs and there was some clever passing. He looked really comfortable."

Hereford rarely threatened with their prolific striker Steve Guinan kept quiet by Antwi and their wideman hardly getting into the game.

And the Reds could have made it two on the stroke of half-time when Whalley used his pace again to charge into the area but goalie Wayne Brown stuck out his foot to prevent the ball finding the back of the net.

But keeper Brown could do nothing with Cavanagh's free kick seven minutes after the restart.

Whalley again was the instigator, making one of his mazy runs with the defence bamboozled.

A foot was stuck out, the winger tumbled and Mr Laws pointed to the edge of the area - although the foul did look inside.

Cavanagh got behind the free kick and even the most ardent Stanley fan might have doubted that the skipper could score two in two games.

But he was soon jumping up in the air as the ball was beyond Wayne Brown and had nestled nicely into the bottom corner.

"We fancied Cav to score," said the Reds manager.

"The goalkeeper stood in the middle and if you kick it hard and in the corner it is difficult to get to.

"Peter was pleased because his other on television last week looked poor and this one was a bit special!

"But the goals are a bonus as Peter has come back from injury is reading situations well and defending well and that is his first job."

Hereford, who hadn't taken a point from Accrington in their previous three visits, did try to liven things up with the introduction of Stuart Fleetwood - who spent a month on loan with the Reds in January - and Alan Connell, whose freak goal won the game between the two sides at Edgar Street earlier in the season.

But it was still Stanley carving out the better opportunities, breaking in numbers and piling pressure on the Bulls' defence.

Brown denied Paul Mullin while Boco made a good run but blasted over.

However, Hereford could have made it a nervy finish from a corner ten minutes from time. Connell's initial effort was well saved by Martin and, with the goalie stranded, Boco did well to block Guinan's close range follow up on the line.

Connell then had a volley which was well caught by the Reds keeper but really that was it.

And defender Robbie Williams could have ended the day with a spectacular third for the Reds when he fired goalwards from 35-yards with keeper Brown having to push the strike around the post.

There was still time for one last drama with Brown's dismissal and then a surprise five minutes of injury time but it was another welcome three points for the Reds.

And Coleman had a final tribute for the fans.

Last week free admission guaranteed a bumper crowd but this week they still turned out to give the Reds a welcome shout.

"They were magnificent again. I know there weren't as many but they never stopped singing or shouting or urging the players on," said Coleman.

"I am delighted with the ones who pay their hard earned money to support us through thick and thin.

"Our fans have dragged us through a dark spell and hopefully we are out the other end and they will continue supporting us for our final three home games."