ACCRINGTON Stanley go into their final home game of the season tomorrow knowing that their clash with Chesterfield should be a promotion six-pointer rather than a battle to salvage a top half spot.
Stanley ended a nine-match winless run with a 1-0 home triumph against Barnet in midweek but, with just two games now remaining, it was too late to salvage their play-off hopes.
The Reds climbed to 13th with victory and three points on Saturday could ensure that John Coleman (right) maintains his record of improving the club’s league position in each of his 11 seasons in charge, having finished 16th last term.
And the Stanley boss still has his sights set on catching 12th-placed Shrewsbury, five points ahead of them.
“The Barnet win took us to 13th, which is probably nearer to where we should be in the league, having seen everyone in the league,” said Coleman.
“We’ve let ourselves down in the last nine games but you can’t look back, you’ve only got to look forward and our aim now has to be try to finish in the top half.”
Stanley go into the game with major doubts over Darran Kempson (groin), Jimmy Ryan (knee) and Dean Winnard (groin), while Peter Murphy (knee) must also prove his fitness.
John Sheridan’s Chesterfield are currently ninth and the Reds dented their play-off bid with a 1-0 win in their final home game of last season, thanks to a superb first senior goal from Bobby Grant.
The 19-year-old was due to be out of contract weeks later but he was offered a new one-year deal and has gone on to score 18 goals this season.
Stanley (possible): Ian Dunbavin; Tom Lees, Phil Edwards, Johnny Flynn, Peter Murphy; Sean McConville, Luke Joyce, Andy Procter, Chris Turner; Michael Symes, Bobby Grant.
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