SET-PIECE sensation Shay McCartan is the toast of Accrington after his fantastic free-kicks have pushed Stanley towards the play-off zone.

What looked seriously unlikely just two months ago is now a distinct possibility, with John Coleman’s side now four points off the top seven with five games remaining following their 13-match unbeaten run.

Much of that success is due to their dead-shot forward, who last week was named League Two Player of the Month for March following a flurry of fine finishes.

The Irishman was at it again on Saturday, spanking home a cracker in front of the Clayton End to help his side clinch a crucial comeback win over Crewe.

And the 22-year-old told the Lancashire Telegraph the key to his success is practice and confidence.

“At the start of the season I was hitting them and they were going over the bar, but now I’m getting them back down again – that’s the secret,” he said with a grin.

“I’m able to hit it hard and it comes down again, and since I’ve started going on a run most of the one I have taken have gone in.

“I hit them in the centre of the ball and it just dips below the keeper. I think that’s what does them, the power. I practice most days at training, stay behind and do them.

“Aaron Chapman and the other keepers stay behind and do them with me.”

Coleman revealed last month that he berated McCartan earlier in the season when, after firing a first attempt over the top, he walked away from the next set-piece shooting chance.

And the striker says that backing from the manager has been a big part in him taking the responsibility.

“Anywhere within 20 yards I fancy myself ,” he added.

“The gaffer always says to the lads if they can win a free-kick anywhere near the box it’s like a penalty now.

“Obviously that fills you with confidence.

“The gaffer has installed that belief in me and made sure I keep taking them. He’s stood by me and a lot of managers wouldn’t be like that.

“It was against Stevenage, my first game back after injury, and I blazed it over the bar.

“The next one came and it was even closer, and I let Jordan Clark take it.

“After the game the gaffer went nuts at me, saying, ‘Trust in your ability’. He said, ‘I used to hit free-kicks and if it missed I would never let anyone take the next one’.

“Lucky enough I kept hitting them and the first one, against Carlisle, I scored and I’ve got six free-kicks now, so obviously I’m doing something right.”

McCartan’s free-kick potency is attracting plenty of attention, and his strike-rate is the envy of any top player.

But he says he hasn’t modelled his style or approach on anyone in particular and, instead, has taken the best bits from a host of set-piece specialists.

He explained: “I used to try to do the (Cristiano) Ronaldo one, but I don’t think anyone can do that – even him because he blazes them over the bar all the time!

“It’s just my own technique.

“I obviously looked at people taking them but there was never one specific one.

“(Kevin) De Bruyne, (Gareth) Bale – I looked at all their techniques and tried rolling them into my own.

“It’s not a coincidence they’re gong in, but I have scored them at important times and that’s why it’s getting noticed so much.

“It’s a good trait to have in your armoury so hopefully I can keep it going.”

The striker is also aware that a run of games in the team has benefitted his all-round performance.

He suffered a scare when he collapsed during the FA Cup second round tie at Bradford City due to a virus.

But he’s fought back strongly and started all of the 13 games in Stanley’s unbeaten run.

“Before I was playing three or four games and then I was out of the team, so I wasn’t able to get me fitness up to scratch,” he said.

“Now I feel sharp, I feel I can play the full 90 minutes.

“I’m feeling fitter, faster and stronger and that’s what helped me most.”