TWO-goal hero Paul Mullin believes Accrington Stanley had the perfect tonic ahead of tonight's eagerly awaited trip to York City.

The Reds bounced back from the disappointment of their 5-0 defeat at Stevenage in the best way possible with a 4-0 thrashing of Crawley Town.

Mullin helped himself to two headers to sink the previously unbeaten Nationwide Conference newcomers.

And he believes Stanley can go to Bootham Crescent full of confidence now their pre-season plans are coming together.

"Goals breed confidence. We had the chances against Crawley and we put them away," the 30-year-old said.

"We just kept at it, then once we got the goal I think we controlled the game.

"Sometimes when we've gone ahead we have sat back and invited teams onto us and we've lost the lead sometimes. But on Saturday we kept going, worked really hard and deserved the win."

And the striker admitted that sticking with the same line-up and 4-5-1 formation as last week was important to the side.

"We've practised the shape for most of pre-season. It's the way John (Coleman) wants to play, so I don't think the odd result against will change the formation of the team," he said.

"We've got lads in the changing room who know the jobs they've got to do and I think he'll stick with it. It worked on Saturday and when we're on form it's a very good attacking formation.

"It wasn't at Stevenage when we were under the cosh a little bit, but we believe in the system and I think it will take us far this year."

Mullin added that he was looking forward to tonight's showdown with the Minstermen (kick-off 7.45pm) and meeting up with their manager, Chris Brass, who played alongside his brother, John, at Burnley in the nineties.

"Their manager's a nice lad and he's got a tough job to do," he said.

"But it's important that we build on Saturday's result because we need to pick points up away from home."

Stanley may be without central defender Steve Halford after he limped out of Saturday's win over Crawley, while captain Peter Cavanagh was taken off as a precaution after winning his fitness battle to play at the weekend.

York are likely to have a change of personnel in goal, with Chris Porter replacing Paul Crichton.

The ex-Burnley stopper's future at York is in doubt following a row with fans during their 4-0 defeat at Gravesend and Northfleet on Saturday.

ACCRINGTON Stanley reserves beat Barrow reserves 2-0 despite being reduced to 10 men.

Damien Hindle was sent off with 15 minutes to go after picking up a second yellow card.

The striker had put Stanley into the lead on 25 mintues and Paul Howarth completed the win as he fired a free kick into the top corner.