MARK Roberts insists Accrington Stanley are fighting to work their way back into League Two's top eight.

The Reds must put their feet up tomorrow - on FA Cup second round weekend - after earlier crashing out of the competition to Huddersfield Town.

But they resume service against Rochdale next Wednesday, where victory over their North West rivals at the Fraser Eagle Stadium will bolster Stanley's position just outside the play-offs.

And after an encouraging first third to the campaign, defender Roberts believes Stanley deserve to be among the division's chasing pack "We are only looking upwards, not downwards," said the cultured centre-back. "Even after last weekend's results, we are still in the mix.

"If we can pick up another good result against Rochdale on Wednesday, we would be nearer to pushing into the top eight again and that's what everyone is aiming for.

"We are satisfied with our league position at the moment, although we could have been a couple of places higher.

"There's definitely room for improvement. But we don't want to get carried away - there's still a lot of games to be played this season "First thing's first, we want to secure safety, but we are looking at the play-offs rather than looking down the league."

Stanley maintained their superb run of form away from East Lancashire this term with an impressive 0-0 draw at high-flying Hereford last Saturday.

A rock-steady defensive display provided the foundations for their point against the Bulls - with Roberts at the heart of the Reds five-man rearguard.

The 24-year-old added: "It was a good result for us at Hereford. Not many teams will go there and keep a clean sheet.

"We can take a lot of confidence from that because Hereford are flying in the league and recently beat Leeds in the FA Cup.

"I thought we were the better team on the day and that shows what potential we've got at Accrington.

"We were very solid at the back and that's important.

"There's been games this season when people have made individual errors and I include myself in that - we feel that's cost us a little bit in games.

"But it's a strong unit. With Sean Webb coming in, we've had a strong back three with myself and Robbie Williams, and Phil Edwards has come in from time to time and done well.

"It's worked really well, especially away from home, and we feel comfortable with it.

Roberts added: "Overall, we are pleased with the way things have gone this season. But the manager always wants us to improve and get up that league."