ACCRINGTON Stanley find themselves in the unusual position of having to play promotion-chasing Portsmouth twice in their remaining three games of the season – but John Coleman has no complaints.

While it is a tough double header for the Reds – who host Pompey tonight and go to Fratton Park on the last day of the season – Coleman is more than happy to go in to battle with one of League One’s biggest clubs.

“It’s unusual the way the fixtures have gone, we have a habit of playing Portsmouth on the final day,” said Coleman. “But as I said on Saturday, if you are grumbling about playing Portsmouth the last day of the season there is something wrong.

“What we have to do is we have to start on the front foot, the players know that, sometimes you have to give the opposition credit but we have to get away from silly mistakes and turnovers of possession in dangerous areas.”

Coleman was happy with the way his side fought back against Sunderland on Saturday – bouncing back from conceding two early goals before eventually drawing 3-3.

Colby Bishop and Sean McConville both scored at the Stadium of Light – McConville scoring a superb late free-kick to earn the draw – and Coleman said the goals were a welcome boost for both players.

And he is hoping the pair can help Stanley find some consistency and finish the season strongly.

“It will do both Colby and Sean the world of good for their confidence but we have three games now and we will try and win all three but I want us to try and play better football for longer periods,” said Coleman.

“Every team has struggled with consistency this season. Football results all over the divisions have been something of a lottery.

“We have to try and get consistency in our play and if you get that results tend to follow.”

While Stanley still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the play-off places – they are currently 12th, six points outside the top six – Coleman admitted had his side been more consistent, they would have been higher up the league table.

And Saturday’s performance at Sunderland highlighted that point.

“We weren’t at it for the first 20 minutes on Saturday,” he said. “It’s ok saying we were better when we changed the system but that shouldn’t have to be the case. It’s 11 v 11 and for the first 20 minutes we weren’t at the races defensively as an 11.

“To win games at League One level, especially away from home, you have got to be at it full throttle for the full game, you can’t just play well in parts.

“In the second half, we were outstanding but we have shown time and time again against good teams we can play outstanding football.

“What we have to do is get this consistency in our game which has blighted us this season and made it difficult to get to where we believed we could.”