ROSS Etheridge wants to boost Accrington Stanley’s promotion bid by securing more shut-outs between now and the end of the season.

The Reds have kept two clean sheets in their last five games – a quarter of their overall total this season.

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And goalkeeper Etheridge believes that is one area for improvement that could give them the edge in their remaining nine games.

“If we keep a clean sheet, we have got plenty of players who can get the goals such as Piero (Mingoia), Sean (McConville), Shay (McCartan) and Billy (Kee),” said the stopper. “We know they can get the goals.

“Billy showed that at Dagenham. Hughesy (Mark Hughes) and Tommy (Davies) kept a good line all game and we have kept composed in the final 30 minutes and Billy has popped up and scored the winner.

“The back four has dealt with everything and Seamus (Conneely) and Scotty (Brown) have put balls out wide and we have put some great balls in and we finally got our reward with Billy’s goal.

“I didn’t have many shots to deal with but I had a couple of crosses and the defence has helped me out by dealing with the runners and it calmed it down really.”

Etheridge believes the team has benefited from a settled back five in recent games.

“It’s great as you can talk to the defence and there is not swapping and changing all the time,” said the 21-year-old, speaking to the club’s official website.

“There is also experience in there with Hughesy and Matty (Pearson) so it is really good.”

He added: “You could see the confidence the win (at Dagenham) brought in the changing room after the game with Tom and Matty dancing around.

“It gets the lads going and morale is high.

“And we know there is plenty more to come.”

Top scorer Kee is also hoping Lady Luck stays on Stanley’s side, after admitting he got his share of fortune with Saturday’s winner.

“I played it to (McCartan) but the pitch was bobbly and the ball has come back and it’s come off my heel as I have gone to shoot. It’s gone over their lad, and I have hit it in the ground," he said of his 16th of the season.

“I will take that all day – it’s what it’s all about, coming away from home and getting a scrappy win.”