Accrington boss John Coleman wants to claim promotion in style

Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2018 by PA

Accrington boss John Coleman admits it will be a disappointment if Stanley do not secure automatic promotion following their 1-0 win over struggling Crewe.

Kayden Jackson scored the winner in the 42nd minute as Stanley remained in Sky Bet League Two second spot following their fourth successive victory.

However, it was not a convincing win as Crewe bossed the second half and both Charlie Kirk and Jordan Bowery wasted gilt-edge chances.

Coleman admitted, though, his team will take three points however they come.

“We would like to win with style but it doesn’t always happen,” said Coleman. “Sometimes you have to dig in and there are different types of wins.

“I think this was one of our best wins – there was nothing in it in the first half but we got a goal, which Kayden took well.

“They battered us for 25 minutes in the second half and they could have scored three, they were unlucky and it could have been a lot different. Then, for the final 20 minutes, we showed great reserves of strength to keep them at arms’ length and see out of the win.

“If someone had said we would get to mid-February and be past 60 points, I would have bit their hands off but we are up for the fight and the next 14 games are wars.

“I wouldn’t be happy with anything but automatic promotion now – that was always my aim from day one.”

Crewe boss Dave Artell was downbeat as his side fell to 22nd place despite their solid show.

“The positive is we should have beaten second in the table four or three-one and no one could have complained but we failed to take our chances which is the same old story for us.

“We created some glorious chances but we couldn’t put them in the back of the net. No one could have begrudged us three points tonight.

“We have limited them to two shots, we should have done better with their goal, but we didn’t deserve to lose. We are just throwing away points and it has to stop.

“We dominated the second half but it’s all waffle, it’s all irrelevant, if you don’t take your chances. The history books will say Accrington won 1-0.

“I am a firm believer we will be fine but it’s ok saying it, we have to do it. We are a match for anyone in this league but we have got to show it with points not just performances.”