Accrington Stanley will bid to get back on track in the UniBond Premier Division tonight when they welcome Gateshead to the Crown Ground.

John Coleman's side are doing well in the cups - they have reached the final of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy and the UniBond League Cup - but have gone six games without a victory in the league.

And they are desperate for their top scorers 20-goal hitman Lutel James and Paul Mullin, who has 25 this season, to start finding the back of the net again after a goal drought of seven games for Mullin and nine for former Bury frontman James.

"Simon Carden is back from suspension and he says he is going to show them how to score," said manager John Coleman of his midfielder. Carden certainly knows how to do it as he has scored 20 goals this season.

"But once they get one they will probably go on and score more. I've told them not to worry about it as they are working hard in the team and as long as the goals are coming from other areas it is okay.

"It's probably not good for them as strikers but they just have to concentrate on their own performance and the goals will come."

Mark Brennan was the star of the show on Saturday as his goal helped the Reds into the final of the UniBond League Cup with a 2-1 win over Trafford.

The midfielder came on in the second half for Dave Robinson and made a big impact. "He was the reason we won the game," said the Reds chief. "Robbo wasn't well so Mark gave us the drive we were lacking.

"Winning that was a big lift for us. Two finals give us something to play for until the end of the season. Everyone will want to be involved in the finals and every player is now playing for his place."

Carden is back while Steve Hollis (knee) and Paul Burns (ankle) are still expected to be sidelined.

Stanley will know who they will play in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy final when NWCL Division One side Clitheroe travel to Premier high-fliers Barrow tonight in the semi-final.

Boss Lee Sculpher has described it as a 'huge game' for the club after they went out of the FA Vase at the quarter-final stage last week and are off the pace at the top of the league.

"It will be tough there is no doubt about it but we are desperate to win," said the Blues player-manager.

Elsewhere, Rossendale will be hoping to boost their bid for a promotion place when they welcome struggling Workington to Dark Lane.

In NWCL Division One, Ramsbottom travel to St Helens while Darwen welcome Ashton to the Anchor Ground in Division Two.

League leaders Stand travel to Stone Dominoes while Bacup make the trip to Squires Gate.

"It is another hard game for us, but it is all part of the learning process," said Bacup boss Brent Peters.

Former Accrington Stanley midfielder Mark Rawstron is struggling with injury but triallist Lee Topliss could get his chance.