John Coleman thinks his Accrington Stanley side now have the belief to mount a genuine challenge on three fronts after Tuesday’s FA Cup win at Barnet.

Stanley claimed a 1-0 replay success at Underhill to reach the third round for only the second time since they reformed in 1968 and Coleman is seeing signs that his side are developing the mental strength to continue their progress.

The Reds are currently 12th in League Two – five points from the play-off places with a game in hand – and will also travel to Leeds in the northern semi final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.

“In the dressing room they’ve got a bit of belief about them now,” he said.

“In the past when we have missed the sort of chances we did at Barnet we might have been punished, but there was a steely determination about us – probably epitomised by Luke Joyce, who was everywhere getting feet in when he had no right to win challenges.

“When you’ve got players like that people feed off it.

“Our away form has always been a thing that has stopped us progressing in this league in the past, and the reason why we have been anchored down at the bottom for a couple of seasons is because our home form tapered off.

“If we get them going hand in hand now, we could climb the table.”

Stanley have not reached the fourth round since the 1958/59 season but now have a home game on January 2 against Gillingham - albeit a side who did the double over the Reds on the way to promotion from League Two last season.

“We never had much luck against them last year but I don’t think they’ll relish coming to our place,” said Coleman.

“They’ve got two of the most sought-after forwards around (Simeon Jackson and Curtis Weston) but I’m hoping they’ve sold them by then!”

Traditionally Stanley do not have the largest of travelling supports but Coleman reserved praise for the 89 fans who made themselves heard at Barnet.

“Fair play to all of them and you see most of them week in, week out,” he said.

“The good thing about our club, which probably separates us from teams in the upper echelons, is I know most of them and can have a pint with them on a Saturday night in the Crown.”