JOHN Coleman has set his sights firmly on a play-off spot following Accrington Stanley's six-game unbeaten run.

While the Reds' boss has always been ambitious and was determined to take the Nationwide Conference by storm this season, he erred on the side of caution in the run-up to the new campaign.

But seeing his troops complete a hat-trick of wins with their 3-1 success over Burton Albion at the Interlink Express Stadium on Tuesday night has added fuel to his burning desire to lead Stanley into the top five.

"We've set ourselves a target to get into the play-offs now, having seen the first few games," he said.

"We didn't want to make any predictions early on but we feel as though we're not doing too badly right now and that we can improve.

"You get to the stage when you've been winning games that you want games to come sooner rather than later.

"We've got another home game tomorrow and we'll probably try to put them under a lot of pressure, try to win the game and see where that takes us."

But Coleman stressed their path to their play-off dream would be far from easy.

"There's one thing for certain, there are no gimmes in this league. You've got to go and work hard for you points," he said.

"Luckily we've got a squad of players who have a great team spirit. We haven't got any lazy players or superstars and if we can carry the same attitude into other games, we might have a bit more success."

One tactic which has worked well for Stanley is Lutel James' new-found lease of life on the right flank.

The striker has admitted that it's not his favoured position but, in the absence of wide man Dean Calcutt, who could be out for up to six weeks after suffering a broken wrist at Dagenham last Saturday, Coleman has chosen James to fill the vacancy.

He has responded by scoring three goals in as many games, giving his manager few reasons to move him back alongside fellow front man Paul Mullin.

"Lutel was a threat all Tuesday night, and on another day Paul Mullin would get four goals as well," Coleman said.

"Chances seem to fall to one or the other with them two.

"But I think Lutel's looking a lot more threatening more threatening coming in from wide positions because he's hard to pick up.

"When he comes from deep and he runs at people he's hard to defend against. He's a willing worker as well, which always helps, and has good fitness levels.

"His position is something that we're going to explore further."

The Reds' chief added that he had been handed a defensive dilemma, with Jonathan Smith, Robbie Williams and Steve Halford all battling for a place in the centre of defence but said: "It's nice dilemma to have. I'd sooner have that than have the team picked for me with no competition for places.

"The problem Steve's got, although he did really well on Tuesday night again, is that he's lacking a bit of sharpness and he will get tired towards the end of games."

Midfielder Paul Cook is available for selection for tomorrow's Nationwide Conference home game against Woking after completing a three-match ban.