JOHN Coleman feels that it won’t be just every point that counts in the League Two promotion race, but every goal too.

There is just a 12-point difference from first to 15th, with Stanley sitting third, a point behind leaders Luton going into this afternoon’s game at fourth placed Exeter City.

And such congestion, even at this stage of the season, makes Coleman conscious of factors that can work in their favour.

“It could come down to goal difference,” said the Stanley boss, whose side boast +12.

“Everyone knows my thoughts on goal difference. The first target is to finish the season with a positive goal difference because if you do that you generally finish in the top 10, so that allays any relegation fears to start with, and then you’ve got a chance of making the play-offs or you’ve got a chance of going up automatically.

“The league is so tight there’s no outstanding team. People might point to Luton as being the outstanding team because of their goal difference (+29) and three games where they’ve scored two sevens and one eight, but they are still only a point above us.

“I don’t think there’s any outstanding team but I don’t think there’s any poor team, so every game you play is a battle.

“We saw that on Tuesday (against Wycombe). To win any game it really takes a good effort and you should celebrate the fact that you’ve got three points every time you get them - it doesn’t matter who you are taking them off.

“Obviously if you are taking them off teams around you in the league it’s more satisfying because you feel as though you’re doing more damage, but you’re still getting three points, it doesn’t matter who you beat.”

Having dropped one place to third after last weekend’s home draw with Newport County, Stanley are again presented with the chance to take top spot if results are in their favour.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Coleman of the long trip south. “They are generally good games against Exeter.

“You’re just looking to put distance between you and your rivals and it’s a chance for us. They’ll see it the other way, as a chance to close the gap.

“We generally perform well against the teams who are up at the top.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game but we know we’re capable of giving other teams a difficult game as well.

“Where we are in the league in relation to each other might add a little bit more spice to it."