STANLEY continued their build-up to the new season with a behind-closed-doors 3-1 win against Blackpool.

Dion Charles saw his opening goal cancelled out by Demetri Mitchell’s penalty for the newly-promoted Championship side.

John Coleman’s side prevailed with two second-half strikes however, summer signings Harry Pell and Burnley loanee Joel Mumbongo on target.

It all left the Reds boss pleased with the workout with the countdown on to the League One opener at Wycombe Wanderers on August 7.

“We’ve got to start getting into the rhythm of playing like it’s a league game because before we know it, the league will be on us,” Coleman said.

“I think we showed that today and I thought we were good value for the win.

“We’ve got good players coming in now and we’ve got good competition for places. Joel Mumbongo was a handful when he came on in the second half and Dion Charles could have had a hat-trick. He was outstanding.”

Coleman took a closer look at a couple of trialists but is in no rush to complete his squad having already made 12 signings, some of whom will be part of Ged Brannan’s Under-23s side.

“Both of the trialists did really well and we’re looking at one or two others,” he added. “But we won’t commit ourselves until they’re the right ones for us.”

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley welcomed the test Stanley offered as the Seasiders prepare to step up to the second tier.

“We’ve had a physically tough week of training, and the test came at a good time for us,” he said.

“It was a challenging afternoon with the heat, but there were areas that were pleasing to see.

“You know exactly what you’re going to get from Accrington.

“That was probably their strongest starting XI that played the majority of the game, and we decided to mix our teams up. We’re only two weeks into pre-season, so it was a good 45 minutes for a lot of the lads.”

Stanley host Preston in pre-season action at the Wham Stadium on Saturday, July 24.

The game represents the first time since March 2020 that Stanley fans will be able to attend a game on home soil.

Elsewhere, released full-back Reagan Ogle has been talking about his decision to sign for EFL new boys Hartlepool. The Australian-born 22-year-old came through the ranks with Stanley but departed having made just eight senior appearances.

“It’s bittersweet but to be honest when Hartlepool come in, they showed a lot of interest,” Ogle told the Hartlepool Mail.

"I just couldn’t turn them down. I think it’s the right move for me. It was time for me to leave and to move on to hopefully bigger and better things.”