John Coleman is hoping his side won’t fluff their lines again as they look to move towards the top seven.

The 12th-placed Reds have two massive games at home, to fellow play-off chasers Port Vale tomorrow and then at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday.

Stanley have won five of their last seven league games and are six points off the play-offs with at least two games in hand on most of the teams above them.

"We had a chance to close the gap on the top seven when we played Gillingham on Saturday but we fluffed our lines," he said. "Hopefully we have learned some lessons from that.

"We have played Port Vale twice in the league and the FA¿Cup this season and there hasn’t been a lot in the games but they have come out on top each time and hopefully they won’t this time.

"They have a lot of good players and it will be a tough one but the way we are playing at the moment, I have confidence in my squad.

"We showed in the win over Burton on Tuesday what we are all about. We played with a good appetite and attitude and with skill and we did not give them a minute on the ball from the off. We pressed them and deserved the three points."

After seventh-placed Port Vale it’s then a trip to Gresty Road to face ninth-placed Crewe.

"You never know which Crewe side are going to turn up," he added. "On their day they are as good as anyone in the league and are possibly the best team in the league. We cannot afford to underestimate them and we won’t."

The loan deadline is Thursday (March 24) at 5pm and Coleman hasn’t ruled out any movement, despite the financial problems at the club with the ongoing ownership issues.

"There is nothing at the moment but never say never," said Coleman. "I haven’t had any enquiries for any of our players either so it’s just a case of watch this space."

Reds defender Phil Edwards has taken over at the top of the Stanley scoring charts with 11 goals this season, while striker Terry Gornell has 10.

But former hitman Coleman is anxious Gornell gets on the scoresheet soon after eight games without finding the back of the net.

"I would love Terry to score,"¿he said. "His work rate deserves a goal and I have been in that situation myself where you want the team to win but the overall feeling after a game is disappointment that you haven’t scored.

"It’s not selfish as, as a striker, you have got to have that instinct and I understand his frustration and that’s why I would love Terry to score any kind of goal.

"It’s not affecting his play, he was magnificent on Tuesday and linked up well, but I just want him to score. Things are just not falling for him at the moment and that’s the way it goes sometimes."

Charlie Barnett is expected to have recovered from an ankle injury for tomorrow’s clash.

  • STANLEY reserves lost 4-0 to Wrexham in midweek at Rossendale United.
  • REDS’ fans are running a coach to Crewe on Tuesday. It will leave the Crown pub at 5.15pm and the cost is £15. Contact Ash on 07545 049294. They are also hoping to run a coach for Aldershot away on Saturday, March 26 (ko 1pm).
  • To express your interest contact Ash on the above number.