ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has warned his side to expect a tough encounter against miserly Stevenage in the League Two play-off semi finals.

Stanley will take on Stevenage for a place in the final at Old Trafford, with the first leg away from home on Sunday before the Crown Ground plays host to the second leg on Friday, May 20. The winners will face Shrewsbury or Torquay.

Stevenage conceded only 45 goals in 46 games during the regular season – the best record in League Two – and Stanley have had bad experiences at Broadhall Way in the past.

The Reds suffered defeat on all three trips to Stevenage during their Conference days, losing 5-0 in 2004, although they came from 2-0 down with two minutes left to claim a point in February after securing a 1-0 home win three months earlier.

Coleman said: “It’s going to be a tough game. We expected a tough game whoever we were going to play.

“Stevenage have the meanest defence in the league so it will be hard, but I’m sure they’re expecting a difficult game from us as well.”

That was a sentiment echoed by Stevenage boss Graham Westley, who said: “Accrington are a good side. I’ve been very impressed with them in the games I’ve seen recently, and I’ve seen a lot of them.

“They play bright football, they pass from the back, they’re energetic side, they’re committed, they’re very together and they’re a tough side to beat. Their recent results show that.

“We know it’s not going to be a gimme.”