PAUL Mullin believes Accrington Stanley are virtually safe from relegation – and he would not have left if he thought otherwise.

Stanley host Darlington tonight with an 11-point cushion to the League Two drop zone after three wins in their last four games - their best run since their return to the Football League.

Star striker Mullin was controversially allowed to join Bradford on loan until the end of the season last week and the 35-year-old says a promotion chase was too tempting to turn down.

“It was a difficult decision and it was a wrench to leave,” he said.

“They should be safe and it would take a small miracle for them to be caught.

"I think they’ve got enough ability not to struggle without me.

“If the club hadn’t got a few wins and the financial situation hadn’t been the same, the move probably wouldn’t have happened.”

Meanwhile manager John Coleman remains confident that Mullin will return to Accrington Stanley next season, after admitting he was not involved in the decision to let his star striker join Bradford.

Mullin’s surprise move to Valley Parade on loan for the rest of the season on Friday sparked a small silent protest from a section of supporters at the start of Saturday’s home game against Exeter, although a 2-1 victory did much to suggest that life may go on without the 35-year-old.

The Reds, who will not pay any of Mullin’s wages during his time at Bradford and will also receive a fee for every appearance he makes for the Bantams, have brought in forward Michael Symes, midfielder Adam Kay and goalkeeper Zak Hibbert in an attempt to fill the void.

But Coleman knows that Mullin – still with a year to run on his Reds contract – will be missed in the final eight games of the season, which start with tonight’s home match against Darlington.

“There’s no team in our league who wouldn’t miss a player of Paul Mullin’s ability,” said Coleman.

“But there’s no point moaning about it. If you lose an arm, you’ve got two choices. You get on with your life or you lay in your bed and die.

“Bradford enquired about Paul and the club felt it was in everyone’s best interests if he went.

“Everybody knows how much I like Paul Mullin as a player, so it wouldn’t be a shock to anybody that I didn’t want him to go.

“But the club gave him the opportunity. It’s a chance for Paul to play in front of a big crowd for six or seven weeks and a chance to play in the play-offs, which is something we’re not going to do this season but I wouldn’t rule out for next season.

"It was also a chance to ease Paul’s wages off the wage bill.

“The decision wasn’t made by myself but the decision made by the club was in the club’s best interests, taking everything into consideration, and you have to respect that.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t think it’s going to be made permanent.

“You can never say never in football but I fully expect Paul to be wearing number 10 next season for Accrington.”