SEAMUS Conneely has highlighted how his Accrington Stanley side relish showing what they can do in front of bigger crowds.

The Reds will have the chance to show this again when they travel to Bloomfield Road on Boxing Day as they take on Blackpool in a Lancashire Derby.

Stanley are currently five matches unbeaten and the captain wants his side to carry this on into the New Year.

"I think historically and certainly since I've been here, when we go to these big grounds then we rise to the occasion and we enjoy playing in front of bigger crowds and showing what we can do," said Conneely.

"I think a lot of fans are often taken back by little Accrington Stanley, but we are able to hold our own and we play the game in the right way.

"We're physical when we need to be but we can get the ball down and pass it, I think that's a reflection of a John Coleman, Jimmy Bell and John Doolan side.

"I'm looking forward to the atmosphere, we always bring a big crowd and it'll be even better because we're playing on Boxing Day, so it should make for a good game."

Stanley host Burton Albion three days after Boxing Day and then Rochdale visit the Wham Stadium on New Year's Day.

"It's very busy and it's very demanding on your body because there's very little recovery time but it's nothing new, it's what you expect," Conneely said.

"Everyone knows that Christmas is a busy time for football teams and it can also be a very important time because in the space of a week you can shoot right up the table.

"However, if you have a bad run then teams are going to jump above you because the games come thick and fast and you need to be prepared.

"You always want to be on a good run, and I think that finally we seem to be hitting our stride and performances have improved.

"We've been scoring goals and we've been solid defensively, so it is good to go into a busy stretch of games in a good run.

"Hopefully we can maintain that form into the New Year."

Stanley's equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers has been contentious as both Offrande Zanzala and Conneely have claimed they got the final touch.

"It was my goal, Ozzy's adamant it's his goal but as far as I'm concerned, I got a touch on it on the line.

"Sean McConville had the best view of it on the line after taking the corner and he says it was my goal.

"I don't think the video evidence can be conclusive, we need the Sky Sports goal-line technology.

"I only get one goal a year and he's taken it off me."