John Coleman admits it has been a mixed start to the League Two season for his play-off hopefuls.

The Reds are in eighth place in the league after nine games and Coleman knows there is plenty to build on but also knows, in a tight league, things can quickly turn around.

"You can look on it two ways," said the Reds boss, with Stanley drawing six of their league matches so far.

"You can say it is a poor start with two wins out of our nine games or you can says it’s a good start with one loss in nine. We have never been a team to draw many games but it has happened this season."

Coleman was still disappointed after his side threw away a 2-0 lead on Tuesday to draw 2-2 at Stockport and, after a solid start to the season defensively shipping just one goal in seven league games, they have now conceded four in two matches.

"We just have to look at it and hope it is a blip," said the Reds boss. "We have got to go back to defending like we were at the start of the season and that’s as an 11.

"I am still disappointed about Tuesday, especially as it was a foul on Jimmy Ryan leading up to their first goal which the referee didn’t give. It was a bad challenge on Jimmy although he should be okay for tomorrow.

"I couldn’t see, at 2-0, them scoring as they hadn’t put us under any pressure but fair play, they did well to come back.

"We lost to leaders Port Vale on Saturday but we played well in large parts of the game and we did the same against Stockport so we have got to take the positives out of it.

"Plus we have got the monkey off our backs now we have scored away from home and we can build on that."

Coleman is wary of tomorrow’s oppponents Gillingham who haven’t won on their travels since May 2009.

"You don’t want to be the team that they end that record against," said Coleman. "But Gillingham will be a strong side. We know all about their striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and they have got some good players. Andy Hessenthaler and his assistant Ian Hendon will also know all about us."

Coleman, with a 23-man squad although Ray Putterill is still banned until October 10, has no intention of dipping into the loan market yet after one point out of the last six.

"Getting Ray back will be a huge boost to us and I think we have strength in depth at the moment, " he said.

One of the players chomping at the bit is striker Craig Lindfield who has battled back from a knee injury after re-signing for the Reds in the summer.

"Last season I couldn’t play for Accrington due to the transfer embargo so it’s been like a bit of deja vu sitting the start of the season out with an injury," said the former Liverpool trainee.

"I think it’s been around six weeks and I can’t put into words how frustrating it is actually sitting on the sidelines and watching.

"But the lads have been doing great and, when you are out of the team and injured, it is great to see the lads putting points on the board and hopefuly I can come back and contribute now."

Coleman has been playing just one striker up front in Terry Gornell but Lindfield is hoping he can get his chance.

"You are watched every day in training so you don’t know if the gaffer wants to freshen it up a bit and you have just got to be on your toes all the time. And, when the time comes and you get a recall, you have got to do what you can on the pitch to keep your shirt.

"It is hard up front because there is one place. Terry Gornell has come in and done brilliantly and you never know, the formation might change at some point. I can definitely see me working well with Terry up front, he is a clever player.

"I am desperate for a start and I have just got to wait patiently and hopefully take my chance."