FRIDAY night football could be a concept for Accrington Stanley's future.

The Reds entertain Hereford United at the Interlink Express Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) to avoid clashing with tomorrow's England World Cup qualifier with Austria.

But visionary chairman Eric Whalley believes this could be an important experiment as they seek to boost their home attendances.

"Friday night football is something we have considered in the past but now we've had to look at it more closely with the gates being down this year," he said.

"We have looked at the possibility of asking other clubs to play us here on a Friday night.

"It worked for Tranmere, and people were pushing for it because it's situated so close to Anfield and Everton. So, with being in the middle of Blackburn Rovers and Burnley, it could be the answer for us."

Accrington Stanley enjoyed an average home league attendance of around 1800 in their first Conference season two years ago, with their highest gate of 3143 recorded against Shrewsbury in their second home game.

But there has been a gradually decline since then, with last season's average league attendance slipping to 1537 last season, while this season's stands at just 1161.

Whalley highlights the increases in the cost of living as one of the key factors in this, as well as the close proximity to Turf Moor and Ewood Park.

But he has urged all Stanley fans to vote with their feet and show their support on the terraces.

"I don't want to criticise people, but I'm really gutted at the attendances," he said.

"People will give all sorts of reasons as to why they don't go to the ground, such as we charge too much or we haven't enough cover.

"But you either want to support your local club or you don't.

"If we can't attract them when we're at the top of the league, when can we?"

He added: "Attendances were more of less what I expected in our first season in the Conference.

"But then we were playing the likes of Shrewsbury and we got big gates because of the volume of visiting support.

"There is a lot of travelling involved in the Conference now, and we don't need segregation for half of our home games.

"But if we want to get into the Football League, our attendances have got to improve."

If that means breaking with tradition, Whalley is prepared to do it.

"Accrington have traditionally played football on a Saturday and we always got bigger gates. But perhaps Friday night football will be the answer to our prayers," he said.

"There aren't any Premiership or Championship games this weekend, so hopefully people will come and get their football fix at Stanley."

Reds manager John Coleman will be without several players tonight.

Captain Peter Cavanagh is sidelined with an ankle injury, central defender Robbie Williams serves a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards and Romuald Boco is on international duty for Benin's World Cup qualifier against Libya on Sunday.

These are added to the absences of Danny Alcock, who is recovering from a broken arm, and Andy Tretton and Andy Procter, who both have knee injuries. However, Chris Butler is available after suspension.

l A MINUTE'S silence is expected to be held before tonight's game in memory of Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh's brother, Anthony, who died this week.