IAN Craney has pledged his immediate future to Accrington Stanley - because he believes the Reds are going up.

Coca Cola League Two side Chester made a fruitless approach for the midfield maestro and winger Gary Roberts when the January transfer window opened.

But Craney admitted being on the brink of making history with the Reds was one of a number of incentives to stay.

"It is flattering to be linked with Football League clubs, but I've got a job to do here," insisted the 23-year-old.

"Personally, I think that going to somewhere like Chester would be a sideways step though, because we could be playing them next season.

"We know there is a long way to go and we've still got a lot of work to do, but there is a chance we could be in the same division as them anyway next year.

"If anyone was to leave then see all the lads celebrating winning the league on television, you would be kicking yourself."

Craney added that talk of transfer targets for Stanley manager John Coleman had not had a detrimental affect on the side.

"Whoever comes in, it's going to be very hard for them (to get in the team) because the lads are playing so well," he said.

"We are a bit thin on the ground in the central midfield area. I think if either myself or Anthony Barry got injured that could cause problems.

"But if the manager does bring anyone in, it will be great for competition for places."

Meanwhile, Craney has urged Stanley to follow in Barnet's footsteps.

The former Altrincham captain believes the Reds can be runaway leaders of the Nationwide Conference - just like Paul Fairclough's side were last season as they finished 12 points clear of second placed Hereford.

Stanley have an eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals, Exeter, who they travel to play on Monday night while still having a game in hand on the Grecians.

And Craney, who scored the only goal in Saturday's home win over Cambridge United, is confident he and his team-mates are capable of extending their unbeaten run far beyond the 15 games they have racked up already.

"We've got a great team spirit and I believe every game we go into, we can win," he said.

"That's not arrogance, it's just the confidence that we have.

"If we beat Exeter, we could do another Barnet!"