ACCRINGTON Stanley boss Leam Richardson believes if he can keep the nucleus of his survival squad together the Reds can challenge at the right end of the League Two table next season.

Stanley brought the curtain down on their season with a 3-0 home reverse to Oxford United although their Football League status had been confirmed seven days earlier after a victory at Bristol Rovers.

And, with only Peter Murphy and Andrew Dawber from the matchday squad of 18 under contract for next season, there will certainly be an overhaul of the squad in the summer.

But Richardson is determined to hang on to as many of his players as possible with a view to improving next season.

He said: “If you can keep this group together and add to it in the right way then I think you will have a really competitive group and give yourself every chance.

On contract talks the Stanley boss added: “It started after Bristol Rovers where the league status was confirmed.

“There will be a lot of conversations to be had to move forward.”

Goalkeeper Dawber was a half-time substitute for the injured Paul Rachubka during Saturday’s defeat and Richardson hinted that he would be ready to throw the young stopper into the starting XI next season.

He added: “The plan was to get him on for a period but Paul felt his groin at half time so that was forced on us a little bit.

“It was good to see him come on because he’s a good talent and a great prospect. That’s the plan to give them the minutes to build them as players, as characters and to kick their career on.”

Despite securing safety Richardson was disappointed to end the season on a losing note.

He added: “For large portions of the first half when we did do things right we looked like what we are which is a good team. We moved the ball well and caused problems but we stopped doing it for some reason. Maybe it was just a game too far.

“You can’t be negative towards the lads and the group because they have been fantastic.

“I so wanted for the lads to go out and relax and express themselves and show good they are with no pressure on them. For portions of the first half they did that and it is just a shame we didn’t win the game.

“You could sense the first goal knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit. After the first goal went in it was a bit disappointing and a bit of an anti-climax. I wanted the lads to finish the season off with a win in front of their home fans.

“Some people say you have nothing to play for which I find strange to be honest because people come, they pay and they support us. Your fans are here, your families are here and your friends are here and it is a game of professional football which you want to win.”

“But from where we were to where we are now has been nothing short of a minor miracle.”