ACCRINGTON Stanley boss James Beattie insists he has not considered walking away from his first managerial job – and wouldn’t.

The Reds head to AFC Wimbledon tomorrow hoping to end their wait for a first league win at the 11th attempt.

Two points from a possible 30 – through draws against Portsmouth and Plymouth – have left them rooted to their bottom of League Two, representing their worst start to a season since returning to the Football League in 2006.

Having only avoided relegation in the penultimate game of last season, Stanley look in grave danger of the drop again.

But Beattie has vowed to keep going and claw back the seven-point gap to safety.

“It’s a challenge and I love challenges,” said the former England striker.

“There’s no way I’ll give up, ever. I believe in what we’re doing, the lads believe in what they’re doing and it’s something you can’t give up on.

“Me, as a person, I would never shirk away from any sort of responsibility and this is a huge responsibility and something that I want to succeed in.”

Beattie added he had also received the backing of chairman Peter Marsden.

“I don’t feel any additional pressure. We all know that the results need to change and we’re doing everything we can to try to do that. I’m not getting any additional pressure put on me by the chairman so that’s great for me,” said the 35-year-old, who believes one win can be the catalyst for a climb up the table.

“If we take the lead in the game I believe we will win. Simple as that.

“We had three great chances on Friday night (against Dagenham and Redbridge), one that hits the post, Kayode Odejayi’s chance and Shay McCartan’s header.

“If we score one of them I believe we go on and win the game.

“I think we just need to get that win.

“If we win on Saturday or we get back-to-back wins everyone’s perception of the season changes.

“We just need to get that win, or get that first goal and get some momentum in a game and I believe we’ll go on and win it.”

And Beattie says he has seen enough positives in recent performances to suggest their luck, and form, can turn.

“Apart from Newport we’ve never been out of a game, we’ve always been in every game and only been beaten by the odd goal,” said the Stanley boss, who revealed he has had a good response to some harsh post-match words following last week’s home defeat to Dagenham.

“I think it’s always good to get it out in the open. We’re in the situation we’re in, we’re all together. I would stand shoulder to shoulder with any player.

“Everybody’s got to be singing from the same hymn sheet and be together to fight this fight we’ve got, and I said if anybody’s not up for it they can see me on Monday morning and we’ll have a chat about it.

“No-one did. Everyone believes in what we’re doing. Everyone’s together and we will turn the corner.”

Beattie could again be in the squad to face AFC Wimbledon tomorrow, after naming himself as an unused substitute against Dagenham.

The Reds have been hit by injuries already this season, but attacking numbers are further depleted with James Gray and Shay McCartan on international duty with Northern Ireland under 21s.

“That’s obviously not ideal,” said Beattie, who added he would only turn to striker Danny Webber if he had fully recovered from the hamstring problem which has kept him sidelined.

Beattie added: “The temptation is to try to push someone in who’s maybe not ready but I’ll assess that. If Danny’s ready he’s ready, but if he’s not he’s not.

“We’ll put out a side that I believe will beat Wimbledon.

“If they believe in themselves as much as I do they’ll start winning games.”

Asked if he would include himself tomorrow, Beattie added: “It’s got to be right for the team.

“The right decision the other night was to put the younger lads on as an attacking option.

“But we need something to change in the games and it’s not just a case of me getting changed and getting back on the pitch. We need to turn these results around and I’m sure we’ll do that.”