ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has told his players to keep their cool as they aim for a top four finish in the final third of the UniBond Premier League season.

The Reds currently lie in eighth spot, 13 points behind leaders Burton Albion, and despite their chances of the top spot having virtually disappeared, Coleman wants a storming finish in their final 13 games.

But he knows to do this his players need to get back to basics and stop rushing things if they are to end their run of four games without a league win.

"It's amazing, you win the club of the month twice and then in third month you just can't get a win," said the Reds chief, whose side make the trip to Gateshead tomorrow.

"We have got to get back on track for our own peace of mind and for the fans.

"We have let the fans down in recent games, especially last Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Frickley, and I think they deserve better.

"They have travelled around to support us in all weathers and in all places and we owe them.

"Personally in the last few league games I think we have shown an over desire to do well.

"We are rushing everything and we are losing the ball. To be more effective we need to take our time. We are trying too hard.

"We are just so desperate to get goals that we are trying to score with every attack. We are then giving it away and it is proving costly.

"We should be more relaxed but I don't want us to be too relaxed as we still should have the desire to win every game."

On March 6 it is 40 years since Stanley resigned from the Football League due to financial pressures and Coleman knows they need to get into the Conference soon to try and make the step back into the league.

The chance has passed this year with Burton so dominant but the pressure will be on next year for the Reds to be more consistent and stake a claim for the top spot.

"The club is going in the right direction as far as the ground is concerned, the financial side and the set-up.

"But we have got to make sure now we get it right on the football pitch.

"The pressure may be on but the pressure is never off me, I never let it. I want to win every game I play. And I hope the players should feel the same.

"I think we have not done ourselves justice this season - and let the fans down. So now it is up to us to show everybody.

"I am sure that other people will consider us one of the top sides next season and I hope we will be."

It's the first meeting of the season with Gateshead who were struggling with finances early in the season but big names did come in to save them.

The likes of Paul Gascoigne gave £10,000 and now the mid-table side seem more secure.

"They have had a bit of an up and down season like us really. They had their financial problems but they have been resolved.

"I have talked to a few people about them but it is not about them, it is about us now getting back on track."

But he admits that playing in the Gateshead Stadium - with a running track around it - is a weird experience.

"It is akin to playing on the moon," said the Reds chief.

"It is a strange atmosphere as it is a big stadium and it's not a big crowd, with all the fans concentrated in one place.

"I just hope the Accrington fans can cheer as loud as possible for us and we give them something to shout about."

Paul Burns and Steve Hollis are still struggling with injury while youngster Andrew Proctor, signed from Great Harwood last week, could make his Reds debut.

Coleman has not been afraid to give youth a chance this season and the 19-year-old defender could appear.

"Andrew will probably be involved at some stage," said Coleman. "Everyone at the club has got a chance to stake their claim for a place at the moment and if I feel the time is right, I will put them in."

Coleman doesn't expect to add a new face to the Crown Ground playing staff this week but hasn't ruled one out in the near future as they look towards their storming finish - and next season.

"We are not expecting to have anyone in by this weekend but we are looking and could add to the squad."