JOHN Coleman is urging Accrington Stanley to build on the defensive foundations they have laid this season.

The Reds chief was particularly impressed with his rearguard's display in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at third placed Aldershot, hailing centre half Jonathan Smith's performance as his best for two years.

Their fifth clean sheet of the season was earned despite both full backs playing out of position.

Robbie Williams swapped his central defensive position to start at right back, with captain Peter Cavanagh switching to left back, leaving Coleman with plenty of options to shake-up his versatile squad.

"I thought we defended really well on Saturday and it was nice to get a clean sheet.

"But we need to get a win before we go into a couple of cup games," said the Reds chief ahead of tomorrow's trip to Scarborough (kick-off 3pm).

"It's going to be interesting because there are about 10 teams who can make that leap into the top five at any given time right now, so it's important that you keep yourself in there.

"We've been lucky in the fact that no teams, apart from Barnet, are pulling away from us.

"So if we do our own thing, things will happen for us."

As well as defensive improvements, Coleman has been putting his troops through their paces in an effort to get more names on the scoresheet.

"More goals would be nice," he said.

"One of the things that we've highlighted in training is that we need to get more crosses into the box. Not just getting crosses in the box, but getting players in areas to cross the ball.

"That's something we need to work on because that certainly would improve our game."

But with Scarborough on the verge of re-signing Chester striker Darryn Stamp, possibly on loan, and experienced midfielder Neil Redfearn netting seven times already this season, Coleman knows his defenders will need to keep stay focused, especially after the way they capitulated at the McCain Stadium last term when they had looked set to win.

"Neil Redfearn's got a lot of quality about him and he'll certainly be one to watch from set plays," the Reds boss said.

"We didn't play that badly there last season, we just gave some daft goals away.

"But we'd been a constant threat all game, and I think if we can play the same we'll get a more positive result."

Meanwhile, Andy Procter is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up after returning from injury to impress in his first game at Aldershot.

"Andy did well. I think in his first two or three games I think it will be more adrenaline than anything. But we'll be careful not to take any unnecessary risks with him," Coleman said.

FOMER loan defender Anthony Gerrard was stretchered off in Everton Reserves' match against Aston Villa at Southport in midweek.

The Toffees are still waiting to find out the extent of the damage to the youngster's knee.

DERBY County were due to use Stanley's training facilities at Wilson Playing Fields today, in preparation for their match with Burnley at Turf Moor tonight.

"Steve Halford is still a week or so away from contact training. He can join in with the running but can't join in playing with the lads.

"Jon Kennedy's operation went well , it's just a case of rehabilitation now but we're hoping he'll be able to do some kind of training in a couple of weeks.

Stanley extra

Any defeat doesn't seem too much of a body blow.

And he praised the job counterpart Nick Henry has done for Scarborough since taking the reins in the summer.

"He's done well," Coleman said. "There's no disguising the fact that they got into a bit of a slump and they were treading water a bit last season.

"They've had some impressive results this year and I think he's added a little bit more professionalism to the club."