Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman believes his side are gaining respect from other clubs in the Nationwide Conference - now he wants to prove those people right.

Having won promotion last summer the Reds are eighth in the Conference rankings going into a Christmas programme that could see them take a big stride towards the play-off positions.

Stanley are away to Leigh RMI tomorrow before Boxing Day and New Year's Day clashes with Morecambe and Coleman is eager to see his side re-inforce their newly acquired reputation.

"I think that people are beginning to take us seriously in the Conference," said Coleman. "We are now being seen as formidable opposition, particularly on our own ground.

"And it is good that people are thinking that way about us."

Stanley's run to the third round of the FA Cup, which has been highlighted by two live appearances on terrestrial and satellite television, has served to hammer home that their promotion from the UniBond Premier was no way a fluke.

Successes over third division Huddersfield Town and then over second division Bournemouth, all the more impressive as it was achieved over two games, have significantly raised the profile of the reborn Stanley outfit.

But Coleman knows that the club cannot let that impact go to waste.

"I think that the respect we have won has been enhanced by our appearances on television," he admitted.

"I felt that we produced our best performance in front of the cameras against Bournemouth on Monday, the nerves seemed to have gone among the players.

"But now we have to use what we have learned from what we have done in the cup and on television.

"We have to take the spirit and application that we have shown in those games into our Conference games.

"And what we need are more consistently good performances in the Conference."

Stanley showed their mettle with a 4-2 home success over former table-toppers Aldershot at the Interlink Express Stadium last weekend, but they will be well aware that Leigh, currently in the bottom three, will be no pushovers.

Now under the managership of former Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield midfielder Phil Starbuck, the Railwaymen are beginning to find their feet and notched a 2-1 away win over Dagenham and Redbridge last weekend.

Former York front-runner David McNiven netted the winner and could be the main threat to Stanley, but the Hilton Park club have been looking to strengthen before the weekend.

Former Chester striker Mark Beesley is a target for Starbuck, but he is also wanted by Northwich Victoria

Starbuck wants to take the 22-year-old to Hilton Park to bolster Leigh's fight against the drop, but warned that he can't wait much longer for Beesley to decide whether to accept his offer.

"I have been talking to his agent for the last three or four days, but now I've left it in his hands to take it or leave it," said Starbuck.

Stanley are without injured central defender Jonathan Smith, who missed the Bournemouth success and the win over the Shots with a knee injury, while winger Rory Prendergast and midfielder Andy Procter are suspended having totted up five bookings each.

However, left back Steve Hollis could be fit again after recovering from a broken wrist.

FORMER Burnley trainee Andrew Waine has been released by Accrington Stanley and has joined UniBond One outfit Hyde United.