ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman was delighted for goalkeeper Connor Ripley after the Reds picked up a first clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 win at Walsall.

Billy Kee’s early penalty proved the difference between the sides and the three points lift Stanley into eighth place in League One, just a point behind the top six.

And although pleased to record back to back wins in the third tier, Coleman was equally as proud with the shut-out.

“I am delighted with the clean sheet,” he said.

“No-one deserves the clean sheet more than him (Ripley). I know it has been getting him down that he has been playing really well but we have been conceding silly goals.”

Ripley made several good saves including a late stop to preserve the points.

Coleman added: “It was a frantic finish and Connor has made a couple of really good saves.

“You are going to need that, you need people who can step up to the plate and he did his part.

“People think it is out of the ordinary when keepers make great saves but that is what they are there to do.

“I am not decrying his performance because he was fantastic but you should be able to call on keepers when you need them and Connor is a very, very good keeper and the players all feel safe with him behind them.

“Connor’s distribution was very good today as well, getting us on the attack and on the front foot.

Asked if the clean sheet can lift the whole squad, the Stanley chief added: “I think so. We try to attack as a team and we try to defend as a team.

“Now we have got that elusive clean sheet and hopefully we can get many more.”

Stanley now take on third place Doncaster Rovers at the Wham Stadium on Tuesday night with the chance to move into the top six.

But Coleman knows his side will face a tough task against Grant McCann’s side who have won their last four league games, the latest a 3-2 win at Plymouth on Saturday.

“I watched the game against Walsall (when Doncaster won 4-1) and it was a fantastic game, we know they will pose us problems but we have to try and cause them problems as well.

“Every game we play is going to be tough, we had a really hard game today.”

And Coleman feels the game under the lights, Stanley’s first home midweek clash of the season, can help the Reds secure another positive result.

“It is always a bit special in front of the lights at Accrington,” the Stanley boss added.

“We always seem to up our game and the fans do as well.

“Our fans (at Walsall) were fantastic.

“They never stopped signing and never stopped supporting us and I know the players really really do appreciate it and it was nice to give them a happy ride home.”