ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has revealed it's decision time.

And Saturday's new-look defence against Barnet has given him plenty of food for thought for this weekend's FA Cup second round trip to Bournemouth.

Inspired form from Paul Howarth, Steve Halford and Gordon Armstrong in the backline, and Jamie Speare in goal, earned a second clean sheet against the Bees, following a 0-0 draw at Underhill earlier this season, and posed a few selection quandaries for the Reds' boss.

"I think the defence did really well. I'd single Paul Howarth out because that was only his second game this season and I thought he was outstanding," Coleman said.

"Paul's a very good footballer and he's still young enough to be learning. He took everything on board that we asked him to do and I couldn't fault his performance.

"He made an absolutely magnificent tackle in the second half to stop what would have been a certain goal."

The Reds' chief added that their midweek 3-3 draw at leaders Chester City had worked wonders for their confidence going into Saturday's game against the third-placed side.

"Tuesday's game was massive, the fact that we didn't get beat after being 3-1 down and go into Saturday with three losses on the bounce," he said.

"Picking up points will always breed confidence and, hopefully, that will set us up nicely for next week.

"We had quite a few players missing today but it shows that we've got a strong squad.

"I think the league's leading goalscorer will be glad that he's finished with us now because that's two blanks he's drawn against us, and that's nice for our defenders. It's a bit of a feather in their cap if they can keep him quiet because he's run riot this season."