IT'S part one of the Stanley cup final trilogy tonight when the Reds make the trip to Bradford Park Avenue.

It's the first leg of the UniBond League Cup final - the second leg will be at the Crown Ground on April 30 - and Accrington have another final to look forward to when they take on Barrow in the Lancashire Marsden Cup on April 24.

But all the focus is on tonight's clash, a match between two former league clubs steeped in history and they are two in-form teams in the UniBond Premier Division.

While Bradford have won their last three games - scoring four, seven and two goals in the process - Stanley have won eight of their last nine encounters to take them up to third in the league.

"We are on a bit of a roll at the moment but so are Bradford," said boss John Coleman. "They have come into a bit of form of late and that should make for a good match.

"They have a good forward in Jason Maxwell and Dean Colcutt is strong on the left wing so we will have to watch those two."

Fortunately for Coleman, Colcutt is suspended but he is not too worried about his opponents - he knows if his side are up to it they will be tough to beat.

Star striker Paul Mullin was outstanding on Saturday scoring two goals in the 4-1 demolition of Hyde to take his tally to a seasons' best 31 goals.

"I thought Paul was fantastic. He took his goals well but it was his all-round play as well," enthused the Reds boss.

"He thoroughly deserved the man of the match as he hardly put a foot wong."

Mullin looks likely to partner 21-goal hitman Simon Carden up front again as former Bury player Lutel James - with 24 this season - will sit out the second game of a three match suspension.

"I am sure Lutel would have liked to play but you have to get on with these things," said Coleman of the Leeds-born frontman.

The Reds boss has a nice selection problem for the tie with only midfielder Mark Brennan certainly sidelined with a broken leg.

Wing wizard Russell Payne has returned from his holidays to stake his claim for a place and midfielder Steve Flitcroft, on the bench on Saturday, came on and did well.

"I have a headache but it is a nice one. And don't forget I have another young forward in my assistant Jimmy Bell," he joked after Bell came on late on Saturday.

Andy Proctor, signed recently from NWCL Division One side Great Harwood, also looks likely to keep his place in the centre of midfield after getting on the scoresheet against Hyde.

"Andy is only a young lad and we have been working with him on his distribution.

"He has listened and taken it on board and he worked hard on that on Saturday. That's two goals for him now and he seems to be growing in confidence."

Expectations were high for Stanley to make a push for the Conference this season but now that has gone, picking up at least one piece of silverware is a must.

"I think the lads will all be relishing the chance to play in a cup final," added Coleman. "We want to win something especially for the fans who have followed us through thick and thin.

"But we have got to remember it is only half-time after tonight.

"We have got to keep ourselves in the game but if we play to our capabilites we have got a good chance."

KICK off at Bradford Park Avenue is 7.45pm.