MICHAEL Welch knew coming up against his old club Macclesfield was always going to be special - but he didn't realise how massive the game would be.

Accrington Stanley are facing probably their biggest match of their League Two lives when they travel to the bottom club tomorrow (Sat) desperate for a win.

The Conference champions have slipped to 20th in the table - one point off the drop zone - with six defeats in seven league games and a win is a must tomorrow to keep away from the bottom two.

But Welch's former club Macc are currently on the up and the 24-year-old defender knows the pressure is on.

"This was always going to be a special match for me, it was the one I looked for as soon as the fixtures came out in June," said Welch who spent four seasons at Moss Rose and left in 2005 where he linked up with the Reds.

"I have been waiting to go back for two years and I can't wait. I hope I get a decent reception as I feel I was a good servant but you never know in football. It depends if I put a hard tackle in on one of their favourite players early on!

"I still know a few of the players, like Dave Morley, Martin Bullock and Danny Swailes, and the backroom staff.

"But while personally it is a huge game for me, it is massive for the club.

"We are desperate for a win, we need a clean sheet and we have to stop making mistakes. We need to change our fortunes and it would be great to do it at Macc. And if I scored a 30-yard winner in the last minute, it would be perfect!"

A defeat for the Reds, though, is unthinkable.

"If Macclesfield win they move closer to us and we will have fallen down the league rapidly - we have got to stop it," continued Welch. "The league is still very close and a couple of wins, especially with a lot of games over Christmas, will make a huge difference but Macclesfield are one of the in-form teams.

"Paul Ince has come in and has helped to turn it around. I have heard he has made it more professional in respect to training as he has brought in a fitness coach and masseur and they have got some decent results recently."

Ince was wanted by Stanley in a player-coach role earlier in the season but chose Swindon and then took over at Town in October, steering them to their first two wins of the league season in their last two games.

"I am glad they have got their first league win out of the way as I wouldn't like to go there with them still hunting for it," said Welch.

"But it has galvanised them and they have gone on a good run. And there is a big buzz around the club with them drawing Chelsea in the FA Cup.

"But we have got to remember that we are the Conference champions and we won that league at a canter. We haven't suddenly become a bad side. We haven't been outclassed by anyone and it is frustrating as we know we have given every side a good game so far this season - results have just not gone our way."

Welch was suspended for last week's 4-3 defeat to MK Dons where the Reds defence was once again punished and, for the third time in five games, Stanley were reduced to ten men.

"I couldn't believe what I was watching," added Welch. "When we went 2-1 up, we looked so comfortable then every mistake was punished.

"That's what happens when you are down there. Everything seems to go against you from the simple errors to the referee making iffy decisions.

"We have just got to get a win now and tomorrow would be perfect. I want to make sure I have a good game, stay on the pitch and that we come away with three points."