AMBITIOUS Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman believes his side has never had a better chance of clinching promotion from the Nationwide Conference.

The Reds have a three-point lead at the summit of the non-league pyramid they have climbed with such finesse in Coleman's reign. And with two games in hand on second placed Exeter and one game on third placed Grays Athletic, the omens are looking good for a longed for return to the Football League.

History is also on Stanley's side, as, in at least the last three years, the teams who have been top at Christmas - Barnet, Chester and Yeovil - have gone up as champions.

And Coleman has urged his players to grab their opportunity with both hands.

"We'll never have a better chance than what we've got at the moment," he said.

"If we can get our heads down and get a few more wins we can make it difficult for teams.

"But every game we play is going to be hard, whether we're at home or away.

"It was a difficult game (on Monday), Halifax are a good side and we are going to have a lot of difficult games between now and the end of the season.

"They had a bank of five players across the middle and they came primarily not to lose the game.

"It is difficult to break teams down so maybe we need to alter personnel a little bit (to counter that).

"We are not scared to change it to try and have a positive effect, like on Monday we made three substitutions and they all played their part."

Coleman has already put plans in place to sign a Coca Cola League One midfielder during the January transfer window, while he will be desperate to keep hold of all the young stars who have helped Stanley get where they are so far this season.

"I'll be fending off any enquiries," said the Stanley boss, adding: "I'm hoping to try to bring a midfielder in next week,

"Someone from a League One side who was playing in League One on Monday.

"A couple of clubs are after him so I've thrown my cap in the ring and hopefully I will get him."

And there are a number of current players Coleman hopes to secure the services of for the rest of the season.

Full back Phil Edwards, who has been keeping fit-again captain Peter Cavanagh out of the team, and fellow defenders Michael Welch and Leam Richardson are likely to be offered deals until the end of the season.

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who has impressed during his loan spell from Charlton Athletic, will also remain at the club until May.