DAVID BROWN would love nothing better than to celebrate a goal against his former club Hereford tonight (Fri) in a historic night at the Interlink.

It is 37-years ago exactly since the club was re-formed at a meeting at Accrington public library.

And the Stanley striker, who turned 27 this week, admitted it would be special to crown it by finding the back of the net against the Bulls.

"I would love to get a goal," said Brown, who left Hereford in March to join the third-placed Reds. "I have a good record against my former clubs as I have scored against Telford and Chester so it would be nice to continue this and get one against Hereford."

Graham Turner's side were the bookies pre-season favourites for promotion but they haven't had the best of starts and have scored just 13 goals in their 12 games - although they have the meanest defence in the league with eight goals conceded.

"I don't know much about them this season but in my time there, their main strength was scoring goals," said Brown, who has got five goals this season. "In my first season there, we scored 103 goals which I think was a record.

"But they do not seem to be as free scoring. I don't know if they have started to play more defensively as they haven't conceded a lot but I am just looking forward to the game.

"They have a few new players but there are still four or five players from when I was there.

"When I went to Hereford with Accrington at the end of last season, I got a really good reception and I appreciated that even though there was nothing to play for. Now I am just looking forward to an exciting game."

Brown is happy to be leading the Reds scoring charts - although Ian Craney claims a goal given to Paul Mullin against Woking should have been his and he has five as well.

"It is nice to be the top scorer although Ian Craney keeps telling me he is up there with me," said Brown, who was on the wing in the early stages of the season. "But I am just happy to be playing up front where I have played for the last 10 years and it is nice to score ."

And he hopes he and Mullin can continue to form an effective strike partnership.

"I enjoy playing with Mullers as he deals with the physical side of it and it takes the pressure off other forwards.

"I do not really like battling with people and Mullin does all that which allows me to get the ball down and play.

"He has scored two goals - although Ian says it is only one! - but he is crucial to the teams success.

"He leads the line, he works hard for the side and he may have not got as many goals as he like but I have had a few lucky ones which he perhaps hasn't and that may be the difference."

Stanley, after their five game winning streak, haven't won in two matches with a loss to Morecambe and a 1-1 draw against bogey team Gravesend on Saturday which was disappointing.

"I know we haven't won our last two games but we had five wins and I think it has got to be put in persepctive," said Brown. "If someone had said at the end of Gravesend match, that we had won seven, drawn two and lost three and been third in the league we would have snapped their hands off."

Brown continued: "Saturday's result was disappointing but, in our five wins, we probably won some that we shouldn't have. Of course, we want to win every game but it just doesn't happen.

"On Saturday, we did not play as well as in previous five or six games but you get that at times and we still got a point and that point could be crucial come the end of the season. You have got to look on the positives."

And he hopes to take plenty of those from tonight's game

"I enjoy night games, the atmosphere is better, it is under floodlights and there will hopefully be a good crowd.

"It should be an exciting game as they are desperate to win to keep in with the top few while we are desperate to win to keep in front of them and the chasing pack."

Former Bull Andy Tretton will miss the game against his former club but he hopes to make his Stanley Conference debut soon.

The defender recently had a knee operation and this week was on a special rehabilitaion course at Lilleshall. He hopes to resume full training by the end of the month.

Defender Robbie Williams will definitely miss the match as he is suspended while skipper Peter Cavanagh, who was struggling with an ankle injury, is unlikely to play following the tragic death of his brother.

And midfielder Romuald Boco is on international duty with Benin in a World Cup qualifier against Libya. although the African country can not now qualify for the finals in Germany.

Midfielder Ian Craney, who has scored three goals in the last three games, admitted that "Rommy" will be missed.

"He is great!" said Craney, who insists his goal from a free kick against Woking - which Paul Mullin claimed - should count and he should be joint top scorer alongside Brown.

"Rommy doesn't understand everything but he gets involved and he is funny.

"And when he comes on as a sub he seems to give the whole team a lift. Him and Andy Mangan seem to do that.

"The reception Rommy got for his debut against Crawley was brilliant - I haven't heard anything like it in my life. I would love to get an ovation like that!"

Meanwhile, the Reds will be without on-loan Charlton goalkeeper Darren Randolph for three matches after tonight's clash.

He has been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under 19 squad for the UEFA Championships first qualifying stage and the goalie will miss the Conference clash at Stevenage, the LDV Vans match at Rotherham, together with the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie on October 22.

It leaves Coleman with veteran shot-stopper Andy Dibble and teenager Martin Fearon with Danny Alcock still making his way back from a broken arm.

  • ONE-time Stanley target Terry Fearns is expected to join Droylsden from Southport.
  • JOHN Coleman just missed out on the Manager of the Month award for September as Grays Athletic manager Mark Stimpson, whose side are top of the table, narrowly pipped him.
  • WINGER Paul Brown has returned to Tranmere Rovers following his month's loan at Stanley.