IT is little more than a week since Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman limped out of the dressing room at Rotherham after taking out the frustration of an exasperating season on a couple of water bottles.

At that point, it had been a campaign with no shortage of encouraging performances but few wins.

Two victories later and the mood at Stanley has changed dramatically.

Imminent developments off the field have gone hand in hand with a growing belief that the Reds, up five places from 19th in League Two seven days ago, really can revive their play-off hopes.

After Stanley’s 3-2 win over Crewe on Tuesday, Alex boss Dario Gradi said he felt like his side had been playing a team from a different division.

That may not be the case yet, but Coleman still retains hope that it could be by the time summer comes around – having spoken last week of the need for 10 wins to reach the play-offs.

“It’s eight now as long as we can back those results up,” said Coleman.

“It sounds easy, doesn’t it? But I think it’s going to be the closest league it’s ever been, by virtue of the fact that I don’t think anyone’s that outstanding.

“I know Chester-field have got that big lead but we’ve played them twice now and how we haven’t beaten them is beyond me.

“We’ve just got to get that consistency going that they’ve got and we probably haven’t.”

Stanley host fellow contenders Torquay at the Crown Ground tomorrow seeking three straight wins for the first time in a year, albeit on a sand-covered pitch that Coleman admits was ‘sapping’ against Crewe.

Ten of the Reds’ remaining 17 games are at at the Crown and Coleman believes that two of Tuesday’s goalscorers, Ian Craney and Charlie Barnett, could play key roles.

“We realise how much talent Charlie’s got,” he said.

“We’re always deman-ding more of him. He still needs to improve his fitness but he scored a great goal on Tuesday and was a threat.

“Ian’s a fantastic player, too. He’s still searching to find to his best form but one thing you know is it won’t be through lack of effort.

“He’s a little way off fitness, he’s been under the weather with a bit of a bug, but I hope his goal gives him confidence.

“He’s still striving to get better, and he will get better.”