ROSS Sykes netted his first senior goal in the win over Oxford United on Tuesday night and the Stanley defender insists the Reds strong start to the season is no surprise to them.

John Coleman's side are up to seventh in the League One table after the first four games following promotion last term.

A derby day win at Blackpool this weekend would turn a good start into a great one but Sykes insists the belief within the Stanley camp is that they will be challenging for the play-offs this term.

The perception outside of East Lancashire is that the Reds are in for a tough season but Sykes insists Coleman's charges are not short of confidence.

"We were never going to come in and aim to survive," Sykes said. "We always want more and hopefully we can get into the play-offs come the end of the season.

"Blackpool will be another tough game but everyone is tough this season. It is a game to look forward to and hopefully we will get another win. A derby is the game you want to play in, especially being a local lad."

Sykes' goal was an acrobatic hooked volley which hauled Stanley level three minutes before the break. Oxford re-took the lead early in the second half but a Billy Kee brace, the second from the spot, ensured it was the Reds who claimed the points.

And Sykes, starting a league game for just the fourth time, was pleased to open his senior goalscoring account, especially having missed an easier opportunity earlier in the game.

"I don't think I will score another goal like that in my career," the 19-year-old admitted.

"I should have had one 20 minutes earlier with the header, I saw that one a bit late but it is good to get off the mark.

"It came across and I think took a deflection off one of their players and I took a touch and put it back across a goal, and it went over their keeper and in."

The youngster admitted the goal was extra special, given it came as part of a winning performance.

"It wouldn't have meant as much if we hadn't won," he added.

"It was an unbelievable win to come here on a Tuesday night, we have come back twice and the boys showed great character.

"The team spirit is unbelievable and if we go behind we always know we have a chance to get back into it and we did that."