ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Mark Hughes believes the club can use their promotion heartache as fuel for a successful promotion push next season.

The 29-year-old is the first of the Reds out of contract players to sign a new deal with the club having agreed a one-year stay with the option of a second year.

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And Hughes is now targeting a successful promotion push after John Coleman’s side narrowly missed out on automatic promotion before falling to eventual play-off winners AFC Wimbledon in the semi-finals last month.

Hughes, who joined Stanley in January following his release from Stevenage, said: “Obviously it (the season) ended in massive disappointment but it’s a learning curve and maybe it will stand us in good stead next season.

“It was tough, I hardly slept for a week after and I couldn’t watch the Plymouth v AFC Wimbledon final as it was pretty sickening.

“But what can you do? It’s not the end of the world. It felt like it was at the time but life goes on and we go on to a new season.

“Hopefully we all know what we can do and we can push on and have a good go next year.”

Hughes joins first team regulars Seamus Conneely, Sean McConville, Billy Kee and Matty Pearson under contract at the Wham Stadium and is confident the Reds have the makings of a group that can challenge for promotion next season.

He said: “Usually, when team does well, there are lads who do well and will maybe not be here next year for whatever reason.

“It’s down to the manager to regroup but we know the management team here are very good at that, we have seen it in the past.

“And there is a good nucleus here now with Sean, Seamus, Billy and Matty who did well last year and now myself.

“There is a good core and if new people come in we can make the bedding in easy.”

Hughes also admitted it had been an easy decision to sign up for another season with Stanley.

He added: “Once I knew the manager wanted me to stay it wasn’t a hard decision and I am glad to get it done sooner rather than later and start looking forward to the new season.

“I have enjoyed my time here.

“It took me a while to get into the team but personally I am happy with the way I performed.”