Stanley head to Southend United tomorrow without a win in six league games, but as boss John Coleman was quick to point out: “a couple of wins and you’re back in the mix”.

The Reds head to Roots Hall 12th in the table, having seen last weekend’s game with Sunderland abandoned after 73 because of the weather.

Despite picking up two points from their last six games, they have won four times in the cup competitions during that period, progressing in both the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy.

Stanley have five games before their next cup action, with Coleman keen to get back to winning ways against a Southend side sitting two points and three places further back.

He said: “A couple of wins and you’re back in the mix, a couple of defeats and you start to look below you.

“We just have to get our heads down and look to the game which is in front of us which is Southend away.

“We know that if we hit our peak we can give anyone a game in this league.

“You want to get in that mix where you can challenge for the play-offs.”

Although results have dipped of late, Coleman has been pleased with the displays his side have been turning in.

On factoring in cup progress, with league results, Coleman added: “I’m more concerned about how we play.

“Results will take care of themselves, it’s how you play and we have been playing okay.

“You always want your league form to be right.

“But winning breeds confidence, whether that’s in a cup or a league game.

“I have sometimes found that when you’re on a losing run you’re best served going and having a friendly somewhere.

“I remember going to Bacup years ago when we couldn’t buy an away win and we went and won there.

“After that we won our next three away games.”

Stanley, with four away wins to their name this season, have drawn a league high seven games so far.

“I have always said that draws get you in to trouble,” Coleman said.

“They are great when you’re stopping the bleeding but you have got to get back winning.

“That’s the currency in football.”

The last league win for the Reds came with a 1-0 success at Peterborough on October 20.

That was a fifth win in six games, but they have taken just two points from their following six.

But knowing a win can change the outlook, Coleman said: “It shows how tight it is that we have only taken a few points from the last six games but haven’t moved too much in the league.

“We just have to keep going. Hopefully we have overcome our sticky patch and a couple of wins will do everyone the world of good.”