PAUL Mullin is determined the pain of watching the Conference play-offs on television will spur Accrington Stanley on next season.

The Reds' player of the year admitted that not being involved in the end-of-season promotion shake-up has been frustrating. But he is confident the players will be wiser and better prepared thanks to their experiences last term.

"I watched the Stevenage v Hereford play-off semi-final on television, and it was a bit strange really because the season seems ages ago," Mullin said.

"It was difficult watching two teams that we've done okay against playing for a chance of promotion.

"But that makes us more determined to work hard in pre-season to put ourselves in that position next year. And I'm sure we'll be there (in the play-offs) at the very least.

"Consistency is the only thing we are missing. But I'm sure with some new additions in the summer and hard work that will be put right because we don't want to be looking back and thinking 'if only' again next year.

"We know we're not far away and that's the frustrating thing.

"We dropped silly points last year against some of the lower sides and those are the sort of games you need to be winning.

"Looking back over the season, if we'd have won another three games it could have been us in the play-offs. Once you drop points you can't get them back. They're gone.

"So we've got to work hard to make sure we learn from our mistakes and that doesn't happen again."

Striker Mullin is also looking to improve, on a personal note, and will be seeking to up his tally of 20 league goals.

"I'd like to get more than 20 goals this time. It would be good to get 25 if I could," said the 30-year-old.

And Mullin, who swept the board at the club's end of season presentation night, said he was delighted with the recognition he received from supporters, the management and his team-mates.

"It's always nice to get something at the end of the season," he added.

"It's nice recognition and shows that you are doing something right.

"It's just a shame that the team as a whole couldn't get some silverware, apart from the Marsden Trophy. But hopefully that will change next season."