ACCRINGTON Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell is expecting a typically feisty affair with a Steve Evans team this weekend. But he is hoping history does not repeat itself as far as Peterborough United are concerned.

The last time the Reds visited London Road, 10 years ago, they suffered their worst defeat on his and John Coleman’s watch.

In torrential rain, Posh stormed into a 4-0 half-time lead. Stanley pulled it back to 4-2, only for George Boyd and Aaron McLean to complete hat-tricks in the last 12 minutes as the home side won 8-2.

“When we got it back to 4-2 I honestly thought, with 15 minutes to go, we were going to get something out of the game,” Bell recalled.

“Roscoe D’Sane went clean through and I think he grazed the outside of the post - that would have made it 4-3.

“We went three at the back and brought Robbie Williams on because he had legs and we thought he would shore it up at 4-2. We thought ‘let’s have a go for this’. And the next thing they scored four in the last 10 minutes.

“It’s one of the worst games I’ve been involved in. But it shouldn’t have been played because it was under water.

“They were terrible conditions. But when you’re thinking you’re going to get something out of the game at 4-2 you can’t then blame the pitch can you?

“That’s the last time we went there.”

Judging by current stats there are likely to be goals again this weekend, with Peterborough the Football League’s top scorers with 30 and averaging more than two a game.

But Stanley have started scoring too, and are building a reputation of their own.

“There was a stat that it’s 28 games that we’ve taken the lead and won,” said Bell.

“Stevenage last season I think was the last time we were in the lead and got beat.

“We have got a way of winning. If we do take the lead we tend to keep it, and if we do go behind we have a way of pegging teams back so it’s not a bad recipe to have.”

Bell knows what to expect from the opposition too.

He and Coleman have encountered Evans and number two Paul Rayner many times over the last two decades - from Boston United in the Conference to Mansfield in League Two.

Evans has gone as high as the Championship with Rotherham and Leeds United in between.

But now the management teams are going head-to-head in League One, with both teams occupying a top six spot.

“It’s one that we’re relishing, it’s one we’re going to have roll our sleeves up for and it will be a scrap on the touchline, but that’s the way Steve Evans has it, and that’s the way me and John are as well,” said Bell.

“We’ve got to stay within the rules of the game.

“There might be a yellow card here or there on the touchline. Hopefully not in our case. Steve is a winner and Paul is as well and I know they’ll be doing everything they can within the rules of the game to try to win and upset us.

“We’re going there to win. I know he’ll have his team up for it, it will be a scrap and may the best team win.”

There is a familiar face on the playing staff too. Goalkeeper Aaron Chapman left Stanley to join Peterborough in the summer, after helping the Reds to the League Two title with 18 clean sheets.

“He was a great servant for us last season, and the season before. He got the Golden Glove last season,” said Bell.

“We know he’s not perfect and he knows he’s not perfect, but we look forward to meeting him, and hopefully he won’t be on a winning team this time.

“He’s a great character to have in and around the place. He still texts me and I text him. He left on good terms and he is a smashing keeper and a smashing lad.”