ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman may be just one goal away from an amazing personal milestone.

But he has more important goals on his mind this weekend - like beating Leek in the FA Umbro Trophy.

In a brilliant career with the likes of Southport and Morecambe, the Reds player-boss established himself as one of the top strikers in non-League football.

And now he needs just one more goal to take his career total to a staggering 500.

But Coleman shrugs off the enormity of his achievements.

And, even though he's returning to one of his more successful stomping grounds tomorrow, he'd happily hang up his boots now if it meant Stanley went on a successful run.

"It's nice to look back on what I've achieved but it wouldn't bother me if we started winning games and I never played again," said Coleman.

"I've had my moment of glory and now it's the turn of some of these younger lads to show what they can do.

"I used to score a lot of goals at Leek.

"I think I've scored a couple of braces there and I also scored on their ground for the UniBond League representative side.

"But that's in the past now and we've got to look forward. "I will be involved in some capacity at Leek, but I'd prefer not to play at all and the team to win 3-0."

Coleman knows all about the magic of the FA Trophy having made it to the quarter finals on three previous occasions - twice as a player and once as manager of Ashton United.

And he knows what kind of an impact a successful cup run can have on a club as a whole.

"If you can get a bit of momentum going in a competition like this then it can lift your whole season," said Coleman.

"In the last couple of seasons I've had some great runs in this competition with Ashton, so I know there's a realistic chance of us making progress in it.

"But we've got to apply ourselves."

Stanley may be underdogs going into the clash as Leek play in a higher division, having been relegated from the Nationwide Conference to the UniBond Premier Division at the end of last season.

But the Reds have already beaten Premier Division outfits Stalybridge and Droylsden in the League Cup this season.

And they seem capable of raising their game against better opposition.

"With the exception of Whitby in the FA Cup, we've done very well against Premier Division sides this season," said Coleman. "I think we are better against teams who like to come out and play against us.

"Whereas, in our own league, we've struggled a bit because a lot of teams like to sit back. We know a bit about Leek and we've had them watched three times this season.

"And I've also spoken to Runcorn manager Mark Carter whose side beat them 5-0 a couple of weeks ago.

"He said Leek were all over them for the first half an hour and Runcorn were a bit lucky to beat them, even though it finished up 5-0.

"So we won't be taking it lightly.

"But I'll be very disappointed if we're not in the Trophy by the end of the weekend." After the sale of striker Billy O'Callaghan to Prescot Cables, Coleman may be pressed into action whether he likes it or not.

John Doolan misses the clash after starting a two-match ban, though.

But Jay Flannery returns from suspension and Jonathan Smith and Mark Brennan should be back after injury.

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