GETTING ready for last week's match against MK Dons was a real pain in the neck for Stanley striker Paul Mullin.

But it was nothing compared to the torture he suffered as he was forced to watch from the stands while his team-mates shipped five without reply against Paul Ince's side.

Mullin suffered a freak injury as he prepared for the trip to the stadium:mk, which saw him ruled out of a match for only the second time in the last three seasons.

He explained: "It was strange. I was suffering a bit with a stomach bug during the week, but that had cleared up by Friday.

"I was packing my kit bag and all of a sudden I felt this sort of pain in the back of my neck. It just went right up to the base of my head and my neck just froze.

"I got on the team bus and it got worse, and by Friday night there was very little movement at all.

"It was really strange. I'd gone down on the coach, so I was involved in that regard. I knew when I was having the meal on the Friday night that I was struggling but I still had to prepare as if I was going to play.

"It was a bit easier on Saturday morning, but there was no way I could play. I still went through the normal routine though, going for a walk and having the pre-match meal.

"It was a horrible feeling, not being on the pitch and having to watch the game."

The 33-year-old Stanley stalwart believes the injury was caused by years of heading the ball.

But after a few days' recuperation, he is fighting fit and ready to lead the line again for the Reds today against Chesterfield as they desperately try to get their home form back on track.

He added: "Towards the end of last season it was our home form that kept us in the league and it's about time we turned it around this season.

"Everyone's keen to put in a good performance. It'll be a difficult game, but there's not many teams who we can't match on our day."