ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman will be without two key players for Saturday's "massive" Conference clash at hit-and-miss Tamworth.

Defender Mike Flynn is suspended for one game following his dismissal in the third round FA Trophy loss to Hereford on Tuesday night - the Reds third sending off of the season.

And midfielder Ged Brannan broke a couple of ribs in the 20th minute of that tie and battled through the pain barrier to finish the game.

It means Coleman will have to rearrange his squad for the vital match with the Conference table getting tighter. Just four points separate third placed Aldershot from Woking in 12th spot and it means every point is now crucial for fifth placed Stanley.

"It is a massive game for us - one we can't afford to lose," said the Reds chief. "It is a blow to lose Mike. I was hoping we could appeal but there was no video of the game.

"And now we won't have Ged for a couple of weeks but it showed his character in that he played through the pain barrier for us."

The 4-0 midweek Trophy loss to play-off rivals Hereford was a disappointment but Coleman is confident his troops will pick themselves up to beat the inconsistent Lambs.

"The lads are down about Tuesday's loss but there will be no problem picking them up for this game," said Coleman. "If we can get a win suddenly everything looks rosey again. We conceded from two set pieces on Tuesday and we have got to learn from our mistakes and eliminate them out of our game.

"And we have got to make sure we go to Tamworth and be difficult to beat. We owe them one as they beat us earlier in the season when we didn't take our chances. They are a tricky side as one time they are battering the top sides - they have beaten leaders Barnet and Carlisle - and the next they are struggling. Their striker Bob Taylor is certainly one to watch as he is a decent player who scores goals."

Coleman is still looking to add to his squad but won't make any hasty decisions.

"We are looking for a striker but I am not going to get rushed into it. I want the right player. I would like to add to the squad but I don't feel I need to. I think we have got a good squad here and you will look at Tuesday's result and be blinded by it, saying Hereford are a far better team than us.

"I know it will be different when we go there in April and I will be surprised if they beat us in the league."

Winger Rory Prendergast is hoping to have shrugged off a flu bug which has hindered him in the last two games.

Meanwhile striker Lutel James is on his way back from a broken foot.

"Lutel is seeing a specialist this week and then we should know more."

And keeper Jon Kennedy is expected to feature over the next week.

  • STANLEY make their first excursion into the inaugural Conference Cup with a third round clash against struggling York at home on Tuesday.

"It's a cup game and I want to win it. They aren't having the best of seasons but they will forget that once they run out onto the pitch," added Coleman.