WITH 13 games to go, Stanley are hoping it’s a lucky number as they battle to secure their League Two lives.

Just seven points stands between the 19th placed Reds and the drop zone with a tight battle expected until the end of what has been a tricky campaign.

The usually free-scoring Reds have struggled for goals this season and have a record of three wins in their last 21 league games.

It makes for a nerve-racking run-in with games against promotion-chasing sides such as Brentford and Exeter to come as well as matches facing teams who are also battling the drop - Grimsby, Chester and Rotherham.

But boss John Coleman is only concentrating on the next game - at home to play-off chasing Gillingham tomorrow - as his side look for an elusive victory to end a seven game winless run.

"They are in the play-off zone and I think they are the best team we have played against this season," said Coleman, with his side losing 1-0 at the Priestfield Stadium in August.

"They put us under a lot of pressure at their place but now we are desperate for a win.

"The run-in is going to be tough and every game will be difficult and every game is massive. We have got to get ourselves out of it sooner rather than later."

Swiftly following the Gills is a trip to 16th placed Macclesfield on Tuesday night and a local derby. Macc are hoping for a bumper crowd with just £5 entry fee for all adults.

But the Reds will be aiming to upset the majority of them as they look to end a poor away record that saw them last win on their travels in October.

"That’s the beauty of this game - the games are thick and fast and we have a chance to get a couple of wins and put it right," continued Coleman.

"Macclesfield is another tough one and we have had them watched a couple of times and they are a strong side.

"But there is a much of a muchness about every team in the league. Anyone can beat anyone else on their day but the big thing is consistency and that’s why sides like Rochdale, Bury and Gillingham are up challenging for promotion.

"We haven’t had that and the only way to get it is hard work.

"Both Bournemouth and Rotherham have clawed back a points deduction and, to be fair to them, they have done smashing.

"But we should have beaten Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago. We comfortably beat them at our place and I think we are better than them - but we haven’t got the results to show that.

"I still think I have a decent squad here and some really good players and we do deserve to be on more points than we are.

"But people will say you get what you deserve and we haven’t got more points and there is no point bleating about it.

"So we have got to improve both in defence and in front of goal."

The Reds ended a six-hour goal drought when Craig Lindfield scored in their 3-1 loss at Aldershot on Saturday.

"I was pleased for Craig - he works so hard and he deserved the goal. The lads were hurting after the defeat but will get through it.

"We do need other players to chip in with goals. We have got a number of attack-minded players and they need to put the ball in the net.

"Sometimes you can’t put your finger on why we are not taking our chances but we have got to show more composure in front of goal."

Coleman is hoping a few wins can tempt the fans back with crowds of just over 1,000 in the last few home matches - despite Stanley being unbeaten in six matches at the FES.

"The crowd is out of our hands but we need to start winning games to entice people back."

Left back Chris King (thigh) is still a few weeks away while Leam Richardson had another injection to try and ease a pelvic problem. Colin Murdock is back in contention after missing the Shots game as his wife was due to go into labour.


* JOHN Paul Kissock has returned to Everton following his one month loan spell.


* STANLEY reserves will face Rochdale at home next Wednesday (11 March) kick off 7pm.