ACCRINGTON Stanley proved they can still be a 'top 10' on Saturday. But you won't find manager John Coleman adjusting the numbers in his starting line-up tonight.

The Reds go into their game at Canvey Island on the back of a crucial win over play-off rivals Morecambe.

And not only did they stretch their advantage over the Shrimps to five points because of it, they did so with just 10 men, proving they have the guts to keep on battling even when events conspire against them.

It was a scenario similar to last season, where Coleman's men still managed to pick up points despite having a man sent off on no less than three occasions -- winning games at home to Scarborough then Tamworth against the odds.

And after Lee McEvilly was dismissed on Saturday moments after cancelling out Wayne Curtis's opener, the Reds rallied to do it again as Paul Mullin hit the winner.

While Coleman acknowledged that McEvilly's dismissal could have been instrumental in his side clinching a much-needed win, a one-man deficit is not something he wants to experience again in a hurry.

However, a repeat of Stanley's passion and commitment would be more than welcome.

"The lads rallied tremendously, like they always do. I don't know the amount of times we've gone down to 10 men and seemed to grow., but we did that on Saturday," Coleman said.

"We had quite a few big performances from lads who went the extra mile. And no matter what the result is, if people turn in those performances you're not going to criticise them.

"We had a desire and a will to win in our ranks -- a desire not to be defeated.

"We had to overcome a couple of decisions. If you take away the sending off we had two blatant penalties turned down and that's hard to take.

"But the lads have kept going. They haven't got disheartened.

"We have a couple of lads who haven't played for a bit in Gary Roberts and David Brown but they worked their socks off and then, when it was time for them to come off, we threw fresh legs on and the lads who came on did well also."

He added: "We made a big thing about passion on Saturday. That was the headline we put on the board and we said that would take us through. That's what won us the game -- passion.

"But I've also reminded them we didn't show that kind of passion against Forest Green and maybe, to a certain extent, against Carlisle.

"When we do show it though, I think we're as good as anyone in the league."

Coleman will be forced into changes tonight with McEvilly starting a three-match suspension and midfielder Ged Brannan sidelined with an injury he picked up on Saturday.

But he'll be hoping little changes in terms of his side's display.

"I don't know about the same team but I'll be asking for the same again with the performance," he added.

"We've got one or two knocks. Ged's pulled his calf, which is a blow to us really because I thought he'd started the game brightly against Morecambe.

"But we've got a big squad now and a lot of attacking options, which is good, and I'm sure whoever I put out tonight will do a job.".