DOUBLE Cup winners Accrington Stanley are now keen to clinch the big prize next season - promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

Boss John Coleman admits this season has been something of a learning curve for his young side who clinched the Lancashire Marsden Cup last week and won the UniBond League Challenge Cup on penalties on Tuesday night.

It means the season has finished on a high but the one regret is that they couldn't have made a bigger impact at the top of the league.

The hope was that the Reds would finish in pole position in the UniBond Premier Division but Coleman can point to Stanley's inability to kill off the 'lower' teams which have led to them hunting instead for a top six spot.

Although they have done the double over relegated Bamber Bridge and Hyde, defeats to bottom half of the table sides Colwyn Bay, Burscough, Gainsborough, Hucknall and Whitby - who did the double over Stanley - and drawing with the likes of Bishop Auckland left the Reds permanently playing catch-up to leaders Burton.

"If we count all the points we have dropped in those games against sides that we really should have beaten, then we would have been up there challenging," said the boss.

"I know it is 'what if's' but we should have won some of these games.

"I think though this season we have learnt from these situations and hopefully we will take it into next year - and not repeat it.

"It is difficult to go and play at some of these grounds and perhaps we can't play the way we want to but we have got to adapt.

"I have learnt a lot too and when we go back to these places next season we will do if differently.

"We have got to treat every game next season like a cup final."

Goalkeeper Jamie Speare - hero of Tuesday night's League Cup win over Bradford PA with a save in the penalty shoot-out - admits the side have been encouraged by this season and can get it right for August.

"For the first 15 minutes against the sides lower than us in the league we seem to have struggled and let ourselves down," said the former Everton trainee.

"We know where the oppositions' weaknesses are but we just haven't been able to take advantage.

"Now I feel the only thing that can stop us getting into the Conference is ourselves.

"We have got the players here and the team spirit is fantastic. We all play for each other and we are all in it together.

"Now watch us next season!"

Coleman has his eye on two bringing in four new faces during the summer - two of which, at least, have League experience and who he believes will be a hit.

"I won't name them yet but they are two good players who will be good additions if they sign up," said the Reds chief.

"But I have got a good set of players at the moment, who are just getting better and better."

Stanley finish their UniBond Premier Division campaign at home to Marine tomorrow night while they could add another trophy to their ever-increasing trophy cabinet on Monday afternoon.

They will compete for the UniBond League Shield against champions Burton Albion at Burton on Bank Holiday Monday with a 3pm kick off.