ACCRINGTON Stanley go into tonight's top versus second clash on the cusp of equalling a Conference record.
A win or draw over rivals Morecambe at the Interlink Express Stadium will send the Reds' unbeaten league run extend to 15 games - a record set by Kettering in the early 1990s and matched by Grays Athletic in their blistering start to this season.
Grays' run was ended by Stanley in the televised game at the Recreation Ground on November 12 last year. And as the Sky Sports cameras roll into Hyndburn tonight, Reds boss John Coleman isn't prepared to let his side's chance of making history slip through their fingers.
"I think the lads realise the importance of every game now and they're not getting carried away," said Coleman, who has signed 24-year-old midfielder Mark Boyd a free agent ahead of tonight's game following a trial.
"It's going to be difficult tonight, and I think the lads know that.
"I don't think our win at Gravesend on Friday will have any bearing on the game tonight.
"If we approach the game right we are a handful for anybody.
"But the lads are keeping their feet on the ground and, what I've been pleased with is, since we've hit the top, we haven't let it bother us.
"I don't think we are looking at the fact that we are top. We're just enjoying our football at the moment."
That's a sentiment that is echoed by striker Paul Mullin, who struck twice in the 3-1 win at Gravesend and Northfleet to send Stanley 14 points clear at the top of the Conference.
That lead has since been pegged back to 13 after Morecambe came from behind to beat Forest Green Rovers 3-2 at Christie Park.
And having the Shrimps in second place had added extra spice to tonight's derby.
"It should be a good crowd and a good atmosphere, so we're all really looking forward to it," Mullin said.
"Morecambe are up there with us so if we can take points off them it will knock them down a peg or two.
"We want to win every game we play and we believe that we can win every game that we go into, so we've just got to keep that going.
"Friday night was tough. For the first 15-20 minutes of each half Gravesend were the better side. But we dug in and it was a very professional performance.
"A lot of teams would have been waiting for us to get turned over I think. But we've already proved we are resilient this year and proved it again on Friday.
"When you're winning, you just want to keep winning and winning and winning because it breeds confidence.
"We're in a great position - we're not denying that. But we've just got to keep our feet on the ground."
Coleman will be forced into at least one change tonight with Phil Edwards serving a one-match ban after accumulating five bookings.
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