RARELY can Accrington Stanley claim to be on a par with Chelsea, and they are determined to keep it that way when Wycombe Wanderers visit the Crown Ground tomorrow.

Of all the 92 clubs in England’s top four divisions, only Stanley and Chelsea are yet to concede a league goal this season.

The Reds may not have the same goal threat at the other end, but a team made up of free transfers – helped by a new 4-2-3-1 formation – has impressively shut out the opposition in a way that only Carlo Ancelotti’s millionaires have been able to do so far this term.

Stanley’s record even extends to four games rather than the mere three clean sheets Chelsea have recorded. Accrington, though, have missed out on a trip to Stamford Bridge for a second season as their Carling Cup conquerors – QPR last year, Newcastle this year – were drawn away to the Blues.

“We would definitely like to keep the run of clean sheets going,” said assistant manager Jimmy Bell.

“For Ian Dunbavin and the back four it means a lot. We have conceded too many goals ever since we came into the Football League.

“We have changed our system this season and that was to have an attacking system with the four attacking players.

“But those four really work their socks off when we don’t have the ball, and then we’ve had Andy Procter and either Charlie Barnett or Luke Joyce in front of the back four.

“Wycombe are a good side. and I can see this game being decided by one goal.”

While Stanley have now gone 441 minutes without shipping a league goal – including the majority of the final game of last term – Gary Waddock’s Wycombe have conceded only once themselves this season.

Barnett, Jon Bateson and Sean Hessey are expected to be fit for Stanley after injury but there is still a doubt over Craig Lindfield (knee), who has spent the week at Lilleshall.

Stanley (possible): Ian Dunbavin; Jon Bateson, Phil Edwards, Sean Hessey, Dean Winnard; Charlie Barnett, Andy Procter; Sean McConville, Jimmy Ryan, Ray Putterill; Terry Gornell.

Wycombe (possible): Nikki Bull; Danny Foster, Andy Sandell, Dave Winfield, Leon Johnson; Gareth Ainsworth, Matt Bloomfield, Lewis Montrose, Kevin Betsy; Scott Rendell, Ben Strevens.