ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has labelled tomorrow's showdown with Northwich Victoria as "vital" for the Reds.

Coleman has been frustrated not to claim maximum points from the last two Nationwide Conference outings - the first at home to Dagenham and Redbridge when two injury time goals for the visitors led to Stanley losing 3-2, then they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw at Woking last weekend.

Those dropped points have led to them losing ground on the play-off pack, with rivals Morecambe on good form and climbing the table.

But Coleman knows that returning to winning form at home to rock bottom Vics tomorrow would give his team a timely boost.

"Tomorrow's game is very vital to us. We want to have something to go at for the rest of the season and games like that need to be won," the Reds chief said.

"I thought we played well last Saturday and it's important that we don't lose the habit of winning. We haven't won for a couple of games and sometimes it's a psychological blow when you feel as though you can't win."

Coleman, who saw his side reach the final of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy after coming back from a goal down to win 6-3 win at home to Radcliffe Borough on Tuesday night, added: "Going a goal down on Tuesday you think, 'oh here we go again' but the lads bounced back and our play going forward was good."

And the Stanley boss admitted he was encouraged by his team's attacking performance against UniBond Premier Division Boro in midweek, which led to Lutel James grabbing a hat-trick while winger Rory Prendergast netted twice and midfielder Andy Gouck also got on the scoresheet.

"There was some good football played by both sides," he said.

"I thought we defended a little bit sloppily in the second half but we were very inventive as well and I think the lads enjoyed the game.

"We're trying to encourage the wide players to get involved more with the shooting and we certainly got that with Rory and Lutel got his goals as well, which was good.

"The game was a bit too open for my liking but we're happy with a win and we're happy getting through to the final. Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves the next time we play in the competition."

He added: "We had a change of personnel again. Jonathan Smith was lacking a bit of match fitness and I think that showed again on Tuesday night.

"But all in all it was quite pleasing the way we got through the game."

Looking ahead to Stanley's return to league action tomorrow Coleman said: "On paper people will fancy us to win the game but we don't play football on paper.

"We've got to apply ourselves and maybe be a little bit more compact than we were on Tuesday, but we've certainly got to show the same willingness to score goals and the same invention in and around the box."

Stanley expect to welcome back Steve Halford following a five-match suspension but Robbie Williams will be absent after his red card against Dagenham and Redbridge two weeks ago.

Ged Brannan was due to have a fitness test in training.

Meanwhile, Northwich were poised to sign former Preston North End striker Lee Ashcroft from Southport.

If the transfer is completed in time he could make his debut at the Interlink Express Stadium tomorrow as Shaun Teale's men look to end a run of five defeats on the trot.

Vics have conceded 10 goals and scored none in their last three games and have a record of nine defeats and one draw in their last 10 outings.