THE bitterness of missing out on promotion two years is driving Stanley boss John Coleman and the veterans from that 2015/16 campaign to make amends this time around.

Two years ago the Reds looked set for automatic promotion under Coleman, but they were held to a goalless draw by Stevenage on the final day and saw Bristol Rovers leapfrog them into the top three.

Having come so close to sealing an automatic spot Stanley then suffered play-off heartache, losing at the semi-final stage to AFC Wimbledon.

It was a devastating way for what had been such a memorable season to end and the hangover continued into last season, with a slow start putting paid to any hopes Stanley had of a top seven finish.

But Coleman's side have regrouped this term and look well set to earn promotion, holding an eight-point cushion over Notts County in fourth and a three-point lead at the top of the table, with a game in hand.

Five of the side that came so close two years ago remain in Coleman's ranks and he believes there is a burning desire amongst them to put things right.

"I think the experience that the five I mention - Billy Kee, Sean McConville, Seamus Conneely, Mark Hughes and Scott Brown - and the bitterness that they felt not going up two years ago, they felt wronged and they’re determined to put that right," the Stanley chief said.

Asked if he felt the same, Coleman added: "Yeah I do and I want to put it right. Only going up will take away that pain."

Coleman said he hadn't changed anything in terms of Stanley's approach as the finish line approaches this time around.

On both occasions he believes the club's promotion charge is being led by 'outstanding individual players', with the likes of Matt Crooks and Josh Windass to influential in 2015/16.

This time around Billy Kee and Sean McConville have been two of the key men, but Coleman admits you need a slice of luck along the way too, something that the Reds didn't have on the final day two years ago, when they hit the woodwork three times but failed to break down old foes Stevenage.

"We had outstanding individual players last time and we’ve got outstanding individual players this time," said Coleman.

"You need a little bit of luck, sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you."