JOHN Coleman is hoping to take a leaf out of Aldershot's book.

The Accrington Stanley manager was impressed with how Terry Brown's men "stayed the distance" in their inaugural Conference campaign to earn a place in the play-off final.

A tough season, which included an FA Cup run that ended at the third round after two replays against Bournemouth and Colchester respectively, took its toll as Stanley slipped from an outside play-off bet to 10th.

Then they were testing the water. Now, Coleman is determined to launch a full-scale promotion assault and will take no prisoners.

"If we play to our strengths, we'll be more than a match for anyone we play in the Conference," said Coleman ahead of Saturday's trip to Aldershot's Recreation Ground (3pm).

"The good thing for us was that when we were having our bad patch, and hopefully we are out of it now, people were treading water above us, so we've just got to go on and win a few.

"It's important that we don't lose the game on Saturday and that teams don't make any more ground on us.

"I've always said the target is to be up there at Christmas then kick on."

Stanley steered themselves back on course for one of the Conference top spots when Monday night's 2-1 success over Hereford United ended a run of four games without a win.

"We needed to win," Coleman said. "We can play better than we did, but I don't subscribe to the post-match theories that they were the better team and deserved to win.

"Unless someone's changed the rules I always thought it was about scoring goals, and they didn't hurt us.

"I would play against a team like that every week. The fact is that we made more chances than them.

"You can say whatever you want about their play being easy on the eye - it's about creating chances and scoring goals, and stopping people from scoring at the other end.

"I can't remember them having a shot in the second half, and certainly Danny (Alcock) didn't make a save in that time.

"We had one or two blocks but their keeper was by far the busier of the two all night."

Coleman will settle for a repeat of that tomorrow, especially as the Shots have only conceded seven goals at home - five coming in their game against Carlisle.

And the Stanley chief felt his players were unlucky to come back from their last trip to Aldershot empty handed.

Then Conference newcomers, the two sides kicked off their campaign in front of the Sky television cameras in August 2003 on the hottest day ever recorded in Britain.

But Stanley didn't make the start they hoped for as goalkeeper Jamie Speare was sent off just before half-time and they went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat.

"I thought we should have won the game, let alone drawn it, but we got beat," Coleman said.

"I think Aldershot surprised everyone last year but I think they're probably suffering from that this year.

"Because they did so well people are now wary of them and they probably won't get as much freedom as what they did."

He added: "You'd have been surprised at the way things developed last year.

"At the time, I thought we were the better team last year but obviously the league table proved me wrong.

"They got a little bit stronger and we tailed off towards the end, and that's something we've got to guard against."

Coleman is hoping to have Ged Brannan available tomorrow despite the experienced midfielder fracturing two bones in his hand and suffering tendon damage.

Young goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has been added to the squad following his one-month loan deal from Wolves.

The 18-year-old, who was made available by manager Dave Jones, has not yet featured for the first team but was an unused substitute in seven Premiership games last season and has just signed a four-year contract at Molineux.

He will compete with Alcock for a place in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jon Kennedy was due to have an operation today to pin the leg he broke in training on Sunday.

"Andy Procter is going to play a reserve game tonight (Wednesday) and we'll see how he comes through that.

"We've just got one or two little niggles that we're trying to overcome.

"Dave Jones knew that we needed a goalkeeper and got in touch. He's just signed a four-year contract at Wolves so he's very highly thought of.

"The deal is for one month initially and him and Danny Alcock will both be in the squad desperately.

"The way we've approached away games this season has been quite good.

"We tried to be a bit more positive on Monday and we can maybe push our wide men on a bit further.

"But we'll play whatever way we feel's right at the time.

"Jon Kennedy's having his leg pinned on Friday.

"Ged's break is not too much of a worry, the tendon's a bit more of a worry but I wouldn't be surprised if he's fit for tomorrow."