JOHN Coleman is ready to go toe-to-toe, goal-for-goal with Lincoln City tomorrow – just as long as Stanley come out on top.

The Reds secured a thrilling 4-3 win over the Imps back in February when Sam Finley grabbed a dramatic 95th-minute winner.

The Stanley boss would be happy for a repeat performance.

“Last season was a thriller and I wouldn’t mind that again with the same outcome,” Coleman told the club website.

“Lincoln are a good side, they score plenty of goals and they are well-organised, they are strong in all departments, have no flaws and have good players all over the park.”

Lincoln will start the day in fifth place, five places and four points ahead of Stanley who have two games in hand following their recent enforced Covid lay-off.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Under former Blackburn Rovers boss Michael Appleton, the Imps have had an impressive start to their campaign but have stuttered in the league recently losing their last two games to Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers – although they did enjoy a 6-2 win over Forest Green in the FA Cup to set up a second round tie at Plymouth Argle.

The Reds have a good record against Lincoln at the Wham Stadium – having won their last four league games – most notably the 1-0 victory in 2018 which saw Stanley crowned League Two champions.

“It was a good night but it counts for nothing now. It’s a different manager and many different players on both sides," Coleman said.

Stanley have five wins in their last six league games – the latest being Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Swindon Town where all the goals came in the first half.

“In the first half we were breathtaking with some of our play and it’s probably understandable we couldn’t quite reach those heights again in the second half but it was a good result,” said Coleman.

“We are on a good run but we aren’t looking too far ahead, it’s a cliché but we are taking it one game at a time and our job is to try and replicate our own high standards.”

Coleman has lost both Ross Sykes and winger Tariq Uwakwe to knee injuries but midfielder Mo Sangare is back in training after being sidelined since almost the beginning of the campaign. Defender Harry Perritt is also not far off a return to action while striker Ryan Cassidy returns from international duty.