ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman hopes he has found the winning formula.

After a shaky start to their UniBond Premier campaign, the Reds chief abandoned his winger policy and it has resulted in three wins - and 11 goals.

"I have always used the wingers in the past, Gary Williams and Russell Payne have played there a few times this season, but it meant the two in midfield were left exposed.

"So I decided to abandon the wingers and use four across midfield to tighten it up a bit.

"The lads who were normally on the wings are still playing but it's just a different system and so far it seems to have worked," he said.

"We have also tightened up at the back, we have got the results and it has bred confidence.

"People might say playing 4-5-1 as we did against Emley on Monday is negative but we could have had seven or eight goals instead of the 3-0 win. We are still creating plenty of chances."

And that was without two injured frontmen Paul Mullin and Mark Ceraolo with Lutel James the lone striker and Simon Carden pushing up in support.

"It worked well. Simon always creates chances and he was oustanding on Monday. The system of having one forward worked especially with Lutel as he is a confident lad, he is bubbly and has been a good addition.

"As is Peter Cavanagh. He is a good defender and is very accomplished. And he is only a young lad."

That is another pleasing aspect for the Reds boss, his current crop of youngsters who are coming up with the goods.

"We had nine players under the age of 24 which is something I have never had in management," admitted the boss.

"I have been a manager for five years and have always gone for the older players, the ones with experience.

"So it is good for me and the club to have nine youngsters who are getting used to playing together."

The older players are striker James - who has returned nine goals in the nine games so far - Payne, Jay Flannery, Steve Hollis and Paul Burns.

"It is important to have youth and experience. It has worked in the last few games but we are not getting carried away.

"When we won a few earlier on in the season I said the same and we came back down to earth with a bump.

"It is healthier now and I could see how determined the lads were at Emley. There was a will to win but there is still a long way to go."

Stanley have played nine league games, losing four and winning five to leave them in tenth place, six points behind pacesetters Burton Albion.

Coleman made no secret of the fact he wanted an all-out charge for the Nationwide Conference this season but is now, rather than the bigger picture, taking each game as it comes and seeing where it takes them.

"It is still the ultimate prize to get to the Conference and maybe the lads felt the pressure a bit. They all want success as much as me but the last three results seem to have given us more confidence.

"You can see it in the lads but Whitby are the next test."

Stanley are at home to Whitby tomorrow, on the back of victories over Droylsden, Frickley and last season's runners-up Emley.

The Reds main problem is that they have only kept two clean sheets all season.

"We know we still need to tighten up at the back. We have to score at least three to win games at the moment, but at least we are!"

Coleman has doubts over Mullin and defender Robbie Williams, who was carried off after injurying his knee against Emley.

Steven Flitcroft, a former Rovers Academy player, has also featured in the last three games and has done well but did take a knock on Monday.

Striker Mark Shirley is still about a month off following an operation on his knee last season and frontman Mark Ceraolo is out for at least a month after a training ground injury.

But Burns is now back from suspension and, although striker Gary Williams is transfer-listed at his own request, he came on as a substitute.

"Nothing has changed with Gary. I don't treat him any differently and he will play some part tomorrow," he added.