CALLUM Johnson insists Accrington Stanley will show no fear this season as they bid to conquer League One.

Right-back Johnson said the squad had eyes on more than mere survival in the club's first ever season in the third tier.

The Reds stormed to the League Two title last term and having carried their form over into pre-season, with successive Wham Stadium wins over Premier League Huddersfield and Championship side Middlesbrough.

As a result the confidence is flowing through John Coleman's ranks ahead of the kick-off of the new season on Saturday, August 4.

“We go into it with no fear, we believe in our philosophy and the way we play," said Johnson.

"We are always confident and these pre-season results, beating Huddersfield and Middlesbrough so far, gives us even more confidence.

“The lads are raring to go, we’ve got a lot of fitness, we’ve had some hard sessions. The confidence is there from last season but we’ve tried to put that behind us, but use it as a stepping stone for next season.

“We will take each game in League One as it comes but we want to finish as high as we possibly can and we think that’s higher that just avoiding relegation.

"It’s going to be a tougher test this season, there’s some big teams and some hard games. We’re raring to go, we feel good and we’re confident."

Johnson was facing his former club in last Saturday's 4-3 win over Middlesbrough, having made the move from Teesside to Stanley on loan at the start of last season, before making it a permanent switch in January.

The seven-goal thriller was another sign of the Reds' potential this season, although the 21-year-old believes it gives Stanley things to work on as well.

“My first game for Accrington was against Middlesbrough Under 23s in the Checkatrade Trophy so it was a different test on Saturday," he said of a fixture against Tony Pullis' first team.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game but I was impressed with the way we played, I thought we played some good football and showed what a good side we are.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence but I am disappointed we let in three goals. There is stuff to be worked on but there is always going to be."