Peter Murphy admitted that the only position he has never played for Accrington Stanley is goalkeeper.

Boss John Coleman has praised Murphy for his versatility and he has certainly proved it in his six seasons at Accrington.

"This season I have played attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and right-back in the first team," said Murphy,

"In the reserves over the years I have played centre-half and striker as well – the only place I haven’t played is goalkeeper and I don’t want to do that!"

It’s astonishing to think that Murphy is one of the longest servants at the club, now entering his sixth season.

He joined as part of the youth team alongside James Bell, Chris Turner and Bobby Grant and spent two years there and is now entering his fourth season of first team football.

"I think there is only Proc (Andy Procter) and Leam (Richardson) who have been here longer than me now," said the 21-year-old. "Bavs (Ian Dunbavin) joined at the same time."

Murphy came to the club after a YTS at Blackpool fell through.

"I went to school with James Bell (assistant manager Jimmy Bell’s son) so have known Jimmy all my life.

"My dad asked Jimmy if I could come down and train at Accrington and I joined the youth team and it has gone on from there.

"But to me, it doesn’t matter what manager I play for.

"I know I have known John (Coleman) and Jimmy a long time but I would give 110 per cent for any manager, it’s in my nature."

Murphy is enjoying his longest run in the first team, having played in the last four games.

He has also got his first league goal for the Reds, albeit in the 4-1 loss at Port Vale.

"I am enjoying it at the moment as I am having a run in the team," said Murphy.

"I must be doing something right which is pleasing. My aim now is to stay in the team, I just want to play games. There is no reserve team this season so you need to keep in the first team or keep fit so you are ready to take your chance.

"You can never settle or ever be sure you are in the team as the gaffer doesn’t put the team sheet up until 2pm before the match but, for me, it’s still nice to see my name in the starting XI.

"I have started more games this season than I did in the entire campaign last season so, for me, it’s been good so far.

"But, as a team, we are just desperate for a win at the moment."

Murphy admitted he felt guilty after he missed a chance against Crewe on Saturday which would have brought it back to 2-1 on the stroke of half-time.¿

He wasn’t the only one who missed chances but said: "I should have scored and I hit it quite well but unfortunately it was an easy height for the keeper to tip it out.

"I should have hit it lower but, as the gaffer has said this week, Saturday has gone now and we have got to look forward."

Murphy knows they need a win after one victory in the last six league games if they are to repeat last season’s charge for the play-offs.

"I, like everyone else, am frustrated as we should have won a couple more games.

"We should have beaten Gillingham but a lapse of concentration cost us and then at Barnet, the sending off of Charlie (Barnett) killed us and those were games we could and should have perhaps won.

"So now we are looking forward to Oxford and hoping that the win comes there."

It’s easy to forget Murphy is only 21 despite his six seasons at the Crown Ground and he admits it’s still all a learning curve for him.

"It’s been brilliant for me being here. I have loved it and learnt a lot from the likes of Ian Craney, Andy Procter and Leam Richardson.

"They all have the experience and they pass it on to me.

"I want to keep learning and stay in the team so I have got to keep trying hard."