ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman believes his side have grown in confidence, despite being knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Doncaster Rovers last night.

The Reds went into the northern section quarter-final on the back of five staight league defeats.

But Coleman reckons they have been buoyed by the way they rallied after being controversially reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

"I think it's upped our confidence," he said.

"On Saturday (at Grimsby) we were maybe looking a little bit down, but we came off the pitch with a spring in our step last night.

"We're not brimming with confidence but we've a steely determination that we're slowly but surely going to get things right."

But Coleman was disappointed that his side had to play the final 40 minutes with 10 men after Shaun Whalley was sent off for a late, high challenge on right back Theo Steele.

"It looked a lot worse than it was, and being in front of the stand, the reaction (of the crowd) hasn't helped," he said.

"Shaun Whalley's not a dirty player by any means.

"The ball was bouncing up and was there to be challenged for.

"Unfortunately he's caught the lad in the stomach but it wasn't deliberate and I think it was a bit harsh to send him off."