JOHN Coleman says the next few days are the biggest of his football career as he bids to repeat the remarkable rise to promotion that kick-started his tenure as Stanley boss 12 years ago.

The Reds host Southend tomorrow and travel to Macclesfield on Friday after moving to within a point of the League Two play-off places with a 3-1 win at home to Northampton.

The Reds were 19th in the table seven weeks ago but have taken 27 points from 12 games to give themselves a real chance of promotion to League One.

Coleman has taken Stanley up three divisions since taking charge in 1999 and the current promotion challenge has echoes of his first season at the helm.

Then, his side made a poor start to their UniBond League First Division campaign but went unbeaten from the start of January, climbing the table to gain promotion with victory over Farsley Celtic on the final day of the season.

“I think the last time we made a late run was about 12 years ago when we won the UniBond First Division, so I’ve forgotten what it’s all about,” laughed Coleman.

“It’s going to be a long hard slog now but I’ve said to the players that from now until Friday these are possibly the biggest six days in my football career. Certainly for most of them it will be as well.

“We’re on the brink of something. We’ve got a marvellous opportunity and we’ve got to try to seize it with both hands.”

Coleman felt there was room for improvement and added: “We were delighted with winning but I think the scoreline flattered us.

“In the first half Northam-pton were the better team and they came in 3-0 down. I’ve not seen that happen too much with us since to be honest.

“We were a lot better in the second half and lost the second half.

“That just shows you how funny a game football is.

“It’s not too often that we go in at half time not being the better team because we normally come out of the blocks very quickly.

“The players are sensible enough to know they have to improve their performance if they’re going to be successful.

“They did in the second half and I was pleased with that.”