Accrington belief thrills Coleman

Coleman's Accrington side have scored 34 goals in all competitions this season

Accrington boss John Coleman believes his side have never been more confident after reaching the Northern Area semi-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

It is the first time Stanley - who beat Bury 3-2 on Tuesday - have reached this stage of the competition.

"I don't want them to accept second best and lately they haven't been," Coleman told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I've never known confidence to be so high in the club while we've been in the Football League."

Accrington are currently enjoying their best season since returning to the Football League in 2006.

The club are currently 14th in League Two, just five points off the final play-off place, and are also through to the second round of the FA Cup having beaten Salisbury at the weekend.

"When we were in the Conference we had a couple of crazy characters who thought they were Maradona," said Coleman.

"But the team now has a collective belief. We've been banging the drum since the start of the season to have higher expectations of themselves.

"We will just keep battling away and see where we go."