Stanley have the belief

ACCRINGTON manager John Coleman says his side now have the belief to make the step out of the Conference and into the Football League.

The Reds five game winning streak came to an end at Morecambe on Tuesday night but Coleman says his side will bounce back against Gravesend at home tomorrow (Sat) - because they know they are good enough.

"The difference between this season and last season is that we have the belief in ourselves," said the Reds chief.

"We are a good side and we now believe it. And it means we will take setbacks - like Tuesday's loss - in our stride unlike last season where we may have got nervous.

"Gravesend have been something of a bogey team for us as I think we have had three draws and one loss against them in the Conference. But we know we will always score goals and, as long as we are attacking, we are keeping our opponents away from our goal.

"We have shown what a good attacking side we are and we have got to get it right at home."

Stanley have been superb going forward this season with 21 goals and seven wins to propel them into joint second spot in the Conference.

But defensively, Coleman will have to juggle his pack against ninth place Gravesend.

Chris Butler got sent off after just four minutes in the 3-2 loss to rivals Morecambe midweek and the left back will miss out tomorrow.

And Leam Richardson is still struggling with a hamstring strain which kept him out of Saturday's win at Dagenham and the Shrimps clash. He is rated at 50/50.

Defender Robbie Williams has picked up five bookings - but that won't come into play until the Hereford game next Friday.

But it still means Coleman may have to call on ex-Macclesfield centre half Michael Welch or youngster Danny Ventre although he may also explore loan options.

"It shows why it is important to have a good squad," said the Reds chief. "You are going to lose players to injuries and suspensions and you have got to be able to cope. It isn't panic stations."

The manager was gutted by Tuesday's loss at his old club and local rivals Morecambe where Stanley had 10-men for 86 minutes but still came close to denying the Shrimps victory.

"Chris Butler has made one bad decision and he has paid for it but I did not think it was a sending off offence," said the boss, as the left back was judged to have brought down the last man.

"In fact, I have looked at it on the video and he actually got the ball.

"But there is no point appealing as it costs money and it is rare to get it overturned. It is just a shame for the lad as he has waited a long time for his chance.

"But we can't be down about the defeat as, for the bulk of the game, we have competed well and, for a couple of periods, we were the better side with ten men.

"We have kept going right to the end and showed a lot of character.

"The performance was acceptable and if we play like that away from home we will win more than we lose.

"And we won't get a custard pie after four minutes by a referee who rushed a judgement. "

Meanwhile, Stanley have been boosted by the news that Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Darren Randolph's loan spell, as expected, has been extended for another month.

And goalie Danny Alcock is expecting to have the pot off his arm in two weeks and then get straight back into training.

But midfielder Ged Brannan has left the club by mutual consent.

Despite being involved in the majority of the games last season - and scoring six goals - the former Wigan and Man City star has fallen out of favour with boss Coleman.

He has had just two games on the bench and his last full appearance was when he captained the Stanley side who beat Great Harwood in the VMI Trophy final.

It is believed he may join UniBond side Radcliffe Borough who have been chasing him for a while, while he gets match-fit.

RADCLIFFE have extended the loan of Stanley winger Matt O'Neill for another month. "I feel he has done very well in his first month with us," said Boro manager Kevin Glendon.