ACCRINGTON Stanley are being urged to keep up the good work, by a man who knows how tough life can be at the top.

Paul Fairclough took runaway leaders Barnet out of the Nationwide Conference in emphatic style last season.

And the England National Game XI chief, whose side romped to the title by 14 points, is relishing the prospect of John Coleman achieving a similar feat with Stanley this year.

But he admits it will only be when the league is won that the Reds can relax and soak up the celebrations.

"You never accept that you are runaway leaders," he said. "You do all the possible permutations in your head and everyone keeps telling you it's over, but you can't accept that.

"It's the strangest feeling. But until it's mathematically impossible to be caught, you don't relax.

"It's a different type of stress. You enjoy the buzz and enjoy winning the games, but even though you are streets ahead you are always looking over your shoulder and always working out the different scenarios.

"John will be doing similar things.

"You become the eternal pessimist when you are out in front.

"John and the club want (promotion) so badly, but the minute you think it's all over, football has a horrible way of slapping you in the face. Look at how we got turned over at Accrington last season.

"They thrashed us up there and showed their pedigree. That's why it's such a great achievement for them this season."

And Fairclough paid tribute to what Coleman has achieved in his seven years at Stanley, but most notably this term.

"Winning the championship is a fantastic achievement, and I'm not just saying that because I've done it," he said.

"They haven't done it yet but John has done a fanastic job.

"A championship is won over a aummer, autumn, winter and spring over a massive period of time.

"You go through so many highs and lows in that time scale.

"As well as being a pessimist, I am an optimist and always believe someone can do something better than somebody else.

"John's team has been magnificent. They have marched on.

"In games where people thought they might trip up they have kept winning and doing it in style."

Fairclough added that he had been impressed with a number of Reds players, especially those known to him through international games.

"Consistency is key in winning championships," he said.

"Last season they weren't consistent enough, but this year they have been. The players have been magnificent and John has been magnificent.

"For me, under John's guidance, Ian Craney has come on so much as a player. He has been key to them this season, and Gary Roberts has been in good form out wide.

"Peter Cavanagh is a winner simple as that. I know he hasn't played much but he still has that winning mentality at the football club which, off the pitch, will have helped players along as well."