Accrington Stanley will aim to keep the pressure on second placed Lancaster by defeating them at the Crown Ground tonight.

John Coleman's side currently lie in sixth place - seven points behind the Dollies - but will aim to make it three successive UniBond Premier League victories by defeating Lancaster and boosting their own bid to finish as high up the table as possible.

But it is a tough ask after Lancaster beat them 1-0 just three league games ago.

"They have hit a bit of a dip in form since then but they have a lot of points on the board and they are in a healthy position," said Coleman.

"They are where we want to be.

"I think Lancaster have had the edge on us because they have been more solid defensively early on in the season.

"They have also been putting the ball in the net regularly with top scorer Andy Whittaker although we haven't had a problem scoring. But we have just to worry about ourselves."

Stanley, after a six game run without a win in the league, have won their last two league games and Coleman rested several players for the 2-1 win over Bradford PA on Saturday.

That was tactical as he didn't want to show his hand against the Yorkshire side who Stanley will meet in the UniBond League Cup final next month.

"I will probably make a few more changes tonight and try and bring a few more players in before the end of the season to build for next season," he said.

One player who has impressed him so far is youngster Andy Proctor who joined the Reds from Great Harwood and who has slotted into the midfield and scored his first Stanley goal against Bradford.

"It was a great goal from him, he took it so well. He has been improving in the last couple of games and has never shown any nerves despite only being 18. It will have boosted his confidence, though."

Striker Lee Buggie, a former Bury and Rochdale player, also started against Bradford with star forwards Paul Mullin and Lutel James on the bench.

"Lee did well but he still needs to improve his fitness," said the Reds boss.

Lancaster trail leaders Burton by 13 points and are really playing for the runners-up place while Stanley are a further seven points behind having played two more games than the Giant Axe side.

Former Reds star Brian Welch, who was at the Crown Ground before Coleman, scored the only goal in the encounter earlier this month but the Reds chief doesn't think they will have to single him out for special attention.

"We have quite a few of their side to worry about.

"They are all a danger if you give them time and space and Brian is no different."

And, despite focusing on two cup finals, a good end to the season is still important to the Reds.

"As I have always said we want to finish as high up the league as possible and we will not take our foot off the pedal.

"We want to win this one."

THERE are two provisional dates for Accrington Stanley's UniBond League Cup final against Bradford PA.

It will either be played on April 9 or April 30 at a neutral venue, still to be decided.

The date is dependent on when Stanley's FA Lancashire Marsden Trophy final clash against Barrow takes place.

NELSON are at home to Norton United tonight in the NWCL Division Two, kick-off 7.45pm.

John Bailey's side have lost one of their last four games - but have also only won one.

They are within three points of ninth placed Norton and a win for Nelson would move them within striking distance of local rivals Colne and Darwen.