ACCRINGTON Stanley wing wizard Rory Prendergast admits Saturday's game could be make or break for the Reds.

Stanley take on Morecambe at the Interlink having picked up only two points out of their last nine following their resounding victory over Conference leaders Barnet.

And, with the table so tight at the top, ninth placed Stanley could give themselves some breathing space with victory - or the 11th placed Shrimps could climb above the Reds as both sides battle for a top five spot.

"It is a massive game for us," said the winger. "We are at home and should have the advantage but it is huge.

"Morecambe are one of those funny sides. They had a couple of good results and then a couple of bad ones. It has been a topsy turvy season for them.

"But they have got themselves back up there and they need to win and we do - it is a big make or break game.

"Morecambe are one of John (Coleman's) old clubs and he does like to beat them but, at the end of the day, whoever we are playing, it is all about three points and as long as we get them John will be happy."

Stanley have seen off Morecambe twice this season. They beat the Shrimps at Christie Park courtesy of a Robbie Williams goal and a Ian Craney screamer in the league.

And then, in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy, Lee McEvilly scored the only goal of the game to knock out the holders.

"They will want revenge," continued Prendergast. "And it is up to us to make sure they don't get it.

"But they are a good side. I am friends with their goalkeeper Adam Sollitt and he says they are well-organised, work hard and train hard - so we know what to expect."

Prendergast admitted the last two league games against Forest Green and Carlisle have been hard. Stanley drew the first and lost the second.

"I didn't play well in the Forest Green match, I was disappointed with that, and I hardly got the ball in the Carlisle game.

"I am not making excuses but I don't think the pitch helped.

"And we gave them two goals - we gave the ball away in midfield.

"If Ged (Brannan) had scored the penalty I think we would have gone on to win the game.

"We have done that a couple of times this season. Not played well, got a goal and then gone on to improve and get the victory.

"We kept trying but their back four did really well in holding us off.

"And we really let the fans down. They came and made themselves heard and really got behind us, the support was good, but we just couldn't get the result on the pitch. They deserved more."

And the 25-year-old, who turns 26 next month, admitted he was shocked to see that the Reds had slipped down the Conference table.

"It was hard to take after the game and was disappointing to see that we had slipped to eighth place in the table on Saturday.

"But we know if we win against Morecambe on Saturday and then against Canvey Island on Tuesday, we are back up hopefully in the top five. That's how close it is. We all still have the belief at the club that we can do it.

"There are nine games left and still so much to play for. We have made it harder for ourselves but we have to remember what we did in February - when we beat Scarborough, Exeter and Barnet. Hopefully we can go on a run like that again."

Prendergast is looking forward to Stanley's first trip to Canvey Island - who were promoted last season - but knows it will be nervy for the Reds as every game will be between now and the end of the season.

"We will go there believing we can win as they have, I suppose, got nothing to play for. They can still get sucked into the relegation spots but it is unlikely and they can't make the play-offs. They are looking to move up into mid-table but it is important for us and is a game we really need to win."

And the Yorkshireman is hoping to get a few goals to make sure the Reds get their three points as he admits he is gutted his goalscoring return hasn't been higher.

He has scored five in the league, and two in the GLS Conference Cup this season.

"I always aim for 10 league goals so I am disappointed that I haven't got into double figures," he said. "I don't know why I haven't got them this season. I had the double hernia operation at the start of the season so I was playing catch-up but I would have liked to have scored more.

"I should have got more from my point of view. It means I have to score one every two games from now on but perhaps I can do it."

He does, though, admit he needs to improve his form of the last few games. He says the speculation linking him with a move to Bristol Rovers, Port Vale and other Conference clubs has been on his mind and that it can affect his game.

There appears to be no truth in the Vale Park move with the rumour starting because a Port Vale scout watched a Stanley game but Bristol Rovers have expressed an interest in him.

"It does make you feel slightly unsettled but it is part of football. I haven't really been through anything like this before. I know my performances haven't been the best over the last two games but I just need to get my head down and help Accrington Stanley into the Football League."

  • FORMER Stanley player Simon Carden has signed for NWCL Division One side Curzon Ashton.