ACCRINGTON Stanley have given their strikeforce extra ammunition by snapping up young gun Lee Madden.

The former Preston North End trainee has impressed with an incredible nine-goal haul in just two games for the Reds' reserves.

The 20-year-old hotshot, who scored SIX against Workington Reserves and followed that up with a hat-trick against Osset Town on Thursday, could be in the squad for tonight's trip to Halifax Town (kick-off 7.45pm) after singing terms with the Stanley first team.

Chairman Eric Whalley said: "Lee was playing for Hyde United last year but came to us this year and has been doing well in the reserves.

"Competition for places up front is certainly hotting up now, and I would expect him to be in the squad tonight."

But after leaking six goals in the last two games, with both matches ending 3-3, Stanley boss John Coleman's major concerns currently centre around his defence.

The Reds' rearguard was at sixes and sevens against second-bottom Northwich Victoria on Saturday, and Coleman is looking for a vast improvement at the Shay as Stanley seek to continue their eight-game unbeaten run.

"We didn't play anywhere near like we can on Saturday," he said.

"I don't think we approached the game in the right way from the first minute, despite having a dream start.

"We got gifted the first goal then we scored two good goals from set plays but we gifted them two goals and I don't think we played particularly well in open play.

"We did defend marginally better in the second half and showed a bit more spirit, which was good, but we need to improve. We can't afford to concede three every week if we're going to try to be successful."

Coleman said he would not be rushed into making changes but warned he wouldn't be handing out too many second chances.

"We'll address the situation. You don't become a bad side in the space of 15 minutes, although you wouldn't have thought so on Saturday," he said.

"The players will have the opportunity to do something about it and if they don't somebody else will come in and try to defend for us.

"It's up to me to strengthen the squad whatever way I can."

He added: "I don't know if we're just getting used to the League now and maybe people think they've arrived a little bit and they don't have to apply themselves the way they did earlier on.

"We can do it against the better sides. We've got to learn to be consistent and give other teams the respect they deserve.

"We've got to remember what we've done right this season and start trying to develop that and eliminate the mistakes."

Meanwhile, Halifax have recently added two new faces to their squad. After signing goalkeeper Mark Cartwright, midfielder Jake Sagare flew over from America to sign for the Shaymen from Portland Timbers.

Stanley chairman Whalley, who expects the club to take around 400 supporters to the Shay tonight, said: "It will be a good test for us because they are one of the better sides in the division.

"The supporters must have been disappointed on Saturday but hopefully they will have reason to make some noise tonight."