JOHN Coleman has described Accrington Stanley’s start to the League Two campaign as ‘poor’ despite losing just one of their opening nine matches.

After being written off as relegation fodder by pundits and bookmakers before the start of the season – which has become almost customary for Stanley every summer – Coleman’s men have kept up their tradition of defying the sceptics with a bright opening to proceedings.

Sitting just outside the play-offs with 12 points on the board ahead of tomorrow’s Crown Ground clash against Gillingham, and boasting one of the meanest defences in the Football League, the majority of observers would summise that Accrington should be happy with their early progress.

However, the Stanley boss is far from content, especially after a concerning last seven days that has seen his side lose their unbeaten record at Port Vale, before Tuesday’s late surrender against a poor Stockport County.

The Reds held on for a 2-2 draw at Edgeley Park, yet given their superiority on the night, Coleman finds it hard to accept the dropping of points seemingly in the bag.

And with only two victories to show for their endeavours this season, the Stanley boss believes it represents a meagre showing.

“It has been a poor start to the season,” said Coleman.

“I know my own expectations. I’ve got expectations of where I want to be as a manager and it’s certainly not at the bottom of the league every year.

“I think I’ve assembled a squad of good professionals that can handle the ball well, with good vision and a good work ethic.

“But unfortunately we got examined last Saturday and we fell short after dominating the second half.

“And the way we conceded two goals in five minutes (against Stockport) is very disappointing for a team of our quality. We shouldn’t be conceding goals like that.

Coleman added: “I thought that was something we’d eliminated from last season but obviously we haven’t.

“You would think it would get easier because of the amount of times we’ve lost a two-goal lead since I’ve been here, but it doesn’t. It gets harder to take.

“The players have got to wise up and it might be that the starting line-up isn’t the correct one at the moment.”

Stanley, unbeaten at home in League Two, find themselves heavy favourites to overcome a Gilingham side that have failed to win any of their last 27 league matches away from the Priestfield.

In their previous meeting last season, Stanley ran out 1-0 winners in the third round of the FA Cup.

Yet assistant manager Jimmy Bell is taking nothing for granted, and has identified Gills front man Adebayo Akinfenwa as a real danger.

Bell said: “On his day he’s one of the best strikers in the league. He’s got good strength and we must deal with that.”