PROMOTION-CHASING Accrington Stanley will be looking to follow the form book at Whitley Bay tomorrow and maintain the pressure on the Unibond League First Division leaders.

Bottom-of-the-table Bay haven't won in their last six league games, while Stanley's mid-week defeat to Leigh RMI in the Marsden Lancashire Trophy was the first time in seven league and cup outings that they hadn't registered a victory.

And player-boss John Coleman is looking for his side to extend their good run to be in a position to pinch a top-two place in a promotion race that Coleman believes will go to the wire.

He said: "It looks straightforward because they are bottom of the league. But they have changed their team a great deal in the last couple of months and I don't think it will be easy. Having said that we will be going there with a lot of confidence.

"We have just got to concentrate on trying to win each game and whatever happens elsewhere will be a bonus.

"Teams will drop points so if we keep concentrating and keep sneaking wins we can relax looking at the other results instead of being on pins hoping they have lost.

"It's going to be an interesting run-in and an exciting one. I would have thought it will go to the last week of the season and if we are in contention you would have to fancy us.

"We've got to hang in there and up to now the lads have responded well whenever they have been put under pressure."

Stanley are yet to replace leading scorer Gary Williams following his sale to Doncaster Rovers.

However, Coleman is hopeful of bringing in a new face soon and has been pleased with the way his existing players have kept Stanley in touch with the top three of Witton Albion, Burscough and Radcliffe Borough.

"I have been speaking to a couple of people and if not by the weekend then probably next week.

"Gary's sorely missed because he's a good player but the lads are doing particularly well.

"And if we had got the goals at the right time against Leigh we would have had the result I think our performance deserved," added the boss, who will be without the banned duo of John Smith and Steve Ellis for their trip to the North-East.

However, Mark Brennan is available after suspension and Steve Carragher and Paul Tomlinson may also be fit to return.

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