ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Michael Welch is desperate to end the Reds' Conference agony.

Stanley are tantalising close to clinching the title and four points will be enough to finally seal the anticipated move into the Football League.

A win at struggling Forest Green tonight (Fri) will take the Reds, who have 12 point lead at the top of the table, onto 84 points while main title rivals Hereford can only match that if they win all their remaining five games.

Three points tonight and any slip-ups for the Bulls against Dagenham tomorrow (Sat) will mean the coveted title is on its way to the Interlink Express Stadium this weekend.

"Most of the season has absolutely flown by," admitted Welch, 24. "But the last three or four weeks have dragged on. We are so close now and we all want to get it over and done with.

"It has been an excellent season and one of my most memorable it we do go on and win the league. No one wants to tempt fate yet though."

The Reds have hit a bit of a blip with two losses in their last three league games including last Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Grays.

"We were awful from one through to 11," said Welch. "After the game it was disappointing but it is only our sixth league defeat of the season and we have got to look on the positives.

"It has been a brilliant season. I wasn't sure what to expect when I came here at the start but we have just got stronger as a team.

"I have played in the league for five seasons with Macclesfield and I am amazed Paul Mullin has never played in the league. Paul is one of the best players for the way he holds the ball up and the work he puts in on the pitch.

"And Ian Craney too - he has all the ability in the world and has got his head screwed on when he is on the pitch. Perhaps not when he is off it though!

"But there are some experienced heads among the team who have been able to calm the younger players when they have got carried away and, so far, have got us through it."

Welch, who used to play alongside Steve Jagielka's brother Phil in his younger days, has also been impressed with the young keepers who have starred for Stanley.

"Stuart Jones did well but he soon went and then Betrand Bossu, the least said the better!

"But Darren Randolph and Rob Elliot have been superb. Darren was always a calming influence and a different character to Rob. Darren's kicking was outstanding while Rob commands his area well. They are top quality keepers and they have brought stability and it is great to have someone like that behind you."

And he is ready for Forest Green, a place where Stanley have never won.

"We have had a few of those games before, haven't we?" he said. "Before a number of games this season, I have heard people say we have never won there and then we have and hopefully Forest Green will be another one to cross off our list.

"I know their big striker Julian Alsop from the league and he is a handful and I have heard they have got a couple of decent players. It is a tough place to go but there is no reason why we can't go there and win - and wait for Hereford to slip up tomorrow!"

Steve Jagielka should be back after suffering from flu last Saturday while manager John Coleman is confident keeper Elliot has shaken off his knee injury which hindered him during the Grays loss.

"Forest Green will be just as hard if not tougher than Grays," said the Reds boss. "They are scrapping for their lives and the pitch won't be like Wembley.

"But we have laid a few ghosts to rest this season. There are a couple of places where people thought we wouldn't win and we have played to our strengths and got a result.

"Now we have got to do the same tonight and Forest Green are probably looking at the game with more trepidation than us.

"But I think every game will be scrappy between now and the end of season. To be honest, I think if we didn't have the cushion we would be playing better but we need four points - you would think we should get a win and a draw out of our last five games but it isn't won yet."

Coleman admitted he is enjoying the buzz around Accrington as the Reds are teetering on the edge of fulfilling their long held dream of a return to the Football League.

"I have always been excited but you have to keep your feet on the ground. You do not get anything for coming close. We are in a fantastic position and it would be a crime if we don't do it but we haven't done it yet.

"At least the points are going down. It was eight last week, four this week and hopefully none next week!"