IT'S back to their happy hunting grounds for Paul Mullin and Simon Carden as they return to Radcliffe Borough in the first round of the FA Trophy tomorrow.

Both players caught the eye of Stanley boss John Coleman while playing for the Stainton Park club and the Reds paid £15,000 for the striker and £5,000 for midfielder Carden.

Mullin has been back since - when the Reds beat Radcliffe 3-0 in the FA Trophy first round last year - but it is the first trip back for Carden.

"I think last year when we went back Paul was only miming the cheers when we scored," laughed John Coleman.

"And I think it is Simon's first trip back so they will both be looking forward to it. It will be nice for them. We, though, have just got to have our minds on the game. It is an important match for us."

Radcliffe, managed by one-time Burnley player Kevin Glendon, are currently riding high at the top of the UniBond First Division, four points clear of the chasing pack.

They have former Rossendale player Jody Banim in their ranks - and he has scored 18 goals for the team, whose chairman is Bernard Manning Junior.

There have been some epic matches against Boro for Stanley. One of the most memorable was one and a half seasons ago when the Reds came back from 2-0 down to beat Radcliffe 3-2.

Stanley were to go on to clinch promotion to the UniBond Premier Division that season.

At that time, Mullin had his head in his hands as he was turning out for Boro but this time he will aim to help Stanley to a win - and into a second round tie at home to either Spalding United or last Tuesday's Premier Division opponents Altrincham.

Mullin should have recovered from a rib injury which forced him off during the 3-1 loss at Moss Road while there is a question mark over former Bury player Lutel James who is suffering from flu and missed the Altrincham game.

New signing Barrie Hart, a left-sided defender, will not be eligible to play against his former club.

Maenwhile, captain Jay Flannery and striker Mark Ceraolo have left the club.

"Radcliffe are a team I admire," admitted Coleman. "I suppose that is why I buy so many players off them!

"Their manager Kevin is a good friend of mine and we have a good relationship with the club.

"They have some good players. One of my personal favourites is Mark Dempsey. If he was ten years younger I would be after signing him!"

Stanley lost to Emley in the competition last year and Coleman wants to progress this season. "I have been to the quarter-finals as a player with Morecambe and as a manager with Ashton United.

"We were drawn away in both - and I think this trend is continuing at Accrington as we never seem to have a home draw in the cups!"

"In this competition, if we conduct ourselves properly and play well, we may be able to get a run going. But we have got to get past the first round first!"

Defender Steve Hollis, who came off in the Altrincham loss, should have recovered from his rib injury. "We were decimated against Altrincham and I know this sounds stupid as we lost, but we played well," said Coleman.

"We had 85 per cent of the play and not a single player had a bad game.

"It is not sour grapes but they had four chances and took three.

"They were more clinical in front of goal but the pleasing thing was we never let our heads drop. If the lads keep showing the same ability and determination then we can go on."