ACCRINGTON Stanley pit their wits against a man of some experience tonight when they take on Marine in the group stage of the UniBond League Cup.

Roly Howard is now in his 30th season in charge of the Rossett Park club and this term is looking to develop yet another crop of young footballers.

After Marine finished 18th in the Premier Division last term, Howard is looking to youth this time around.

"We decided that this was the best way to go and if we can discover a few gems it will help for the future," he explained.

Among the players unearthed in the past by Howard and his scouts is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jason McAteer.

McAteer was playing for Marine's second team when then Bolton manager Phil Neal snapped him up for a £500 down payment and he shelled out a further £500 based on appearances.

Marine club then collected a £10,000 cut as McAteer left Bolton for Liverpool, but Howard dismisses any great claim to having 'discovered' the player. "He never showed that much when he was with us," he recalled.

Marine's youngsters will be looking to impress at Rossett Park, however, Stanley player-manager John Coleman goes into tonight's clash confident his side are getting into the right habits.

They travel to Merseyside for the group game on the back of an impressive home win over Worksop last Wednesday night and then taking a point from a tough goalless battle with high-flying Altrincham at the Crown Ground on Sunday.

Stanley made a false start in the League Cup when they lost their first group game at the hands of Chorley 3-2, but since that defeat Coleman's side have been showing more resolve when it comes to defending.

Clean sheets against Worksop and Altrincham were just what the Accrington boss had been looking for and he said: "We needed to tighten up at the back and we have started to do that.

"The good thing is that the lads are showing a willingness to take on board what we are asking them to do and it is getting to the stage where they really don't want to lose.

"We are not setting our targets too far ahead, we are just trying to get to a point where everyone knows the system whoever is picked in the team."

Coleman doesn't look set to make too many changes to the side that played against Altrincham when he did not use a substitute.

"While we had a couple of options on the bench, we felt that the 11 out there were the ones who could make things happen.

"We had a few chances but we didn't take them and we will be looking to change that."

Lutel James posed the biggest threat to Altrincham and came closest to scoring and the 10-goal will be looking to get back on the goal trail in Liverpool.