NOVEMBER is just not Accrington Stanley's month.

The Reds, now winless in five League One games, haven't tasted a third tier victory since beating Peterborough on October 20.

But their November malaise stretches back three seasons with John Coleman's men having won just one of their 10 league games dating back to 2016.

That run was extended after a disappointing weekend defeat to Rochdale where Ian Henderson's 63rd minute free header was enough to separate the sides.

Coleman did not mince his words after the game. The Reds chief was frustrated, disappointed and in his words 'absolutely raging' with his team's performance.

In truth Stanley could consider themselves unfortunate to have lost. Billy Kee had two bites at an appetising cherry in the first half but couldn't beat home goalkeeper Josh Lillis with either close-range shot while Jordan Clark and Sean McConville also had chances in the opening half.

But once Henderson was afforded too much space from Matt Done's near post corner to open the scoring, Stanley seemed short of a response.

Sam Finley, absent from the starting XI with a groin concern, was summoned from the bench while Connor Hall and Piero Mingoia arrived in the final five minutes.

But it was all to no avail with the Reds failing to trouble Lillis as the hosts saw out proceedings relatively comfortably.

The first half had brought chances for Stanley even if Rochdale had the greater share of possession.

Nick Anderton volleyed wide after a neat move involving McConville and Offrande Zanzala before Clark’s angled effort flew past the post.

Zanzala then headed over from McConville’s free kick before the Reds really should have taken the lead on 33 minutes. Clark played his part, driving forward and seeing his shot fall to Kee who was denied from inside the penalty area by Lillis before the keeper blocked the follow up.

At the other end Dale were neat and tidy around the box but in truth failed to force Connor Ripley into a save of note.

The Reds had the final chance of the half when McConville pulled down Zanzala's cross beautifully at the back post to fox Joe Rafferty but couldn’t squeeze a shot past Lillis from an angle.

Dale introduced Calvin Andrew early in the second half and he brought the first serious save out of Ripley before Dale took the lead with their next chance when Henderson escaped the attention of Johnson to head home what proved to be the winner.

Despite the defeat, Stanley remain10th, just three points off the top six.

There is certainly no reason to panic. We must remember how far this side has come and bear in mind that they won just once in nine games around this time last season and we know how that campaign ended.

Coleman has been loyal to his charges over the past 18 months - with good reason - but Stanley boast a depth they have arguably never had before and the likes of Hall, Mingoia, Luke Charman and Scott Brown are more than capable at this level.

The Spotland XI may well be given a chance to redeem themselves when Wycombe visit on Tuesday night and Coleman will no doubt be expecting a reaction.

This squad have passed most tests in recent times and there is no reason why they can't win their next three matches in three different competitions to present a new complexion heading into the festive period.

If they misfire, it could be a bleak midwinter.