HAPPY John Coleman lavished praise on the attitude of his Accrington Stanley battlers as they rocked the promotion challenge of neighbours Rochdale with a 2-1 Lancashire derby win.

Stanley were the better team as they claimed maximum points in what still could be their final game unless £308,000 is paid to the Inland Revenue by Wednesday.

And while off-field the club is in the midst of a crisis, on it Coleman’s young team continues to prosper.

“There is a lot off the field,” said Coleman. “The players have had problems with their wages but they have put it all behind them and they should receive every credit for that.

“They have really big hearts and even bigger attitudes and that is getting the results.”

The win was earned with excellent goals from the in-form Bobby Grant and a wonder strike from Michael Symes, who unleashed a 35-yard half-volley that scorched past former Accrington keeper Kenny Arthur and into the net.

And a delighted Coleman said: “Rochdale are a very good side, although not on on the day if we are being honest.

“The win was a fantastic achievement. We did not deserve to go in at half-time leading but there have been plenty of times when we have deserved more and not got it.

“We were better in the second half and scored a fantastic goal, although it probably contributed that they had a man off getting stitches at the time.”

The manager was also full of praise for his former Blackburn youngster Dean Winnard, who was a rock at left-back.

Said Coleman: “I thought Dean Winnard was magnificent.

"I don’t know what they feed them in Wigan but it must be raw meat the way he played.

"We have needed that for a time.”