John Miles believes a bottom half finish would be an unfair reflection on Accrington Stanley’s season as they prepare for tomorrow’s home clash with Hereford United.

Stanley were in the top half of League Two for the majority of the last few months but a run of just one point from their last seven games has seen them slip out of the play-off race and down to 14th.

The Reds, who had been tipped for a relegation battle after financial problems at the start of the season, are now five points behind 12th-placed Shrewsbury with a game in hand.

They are actually now closer to third bottom Barnet than the play-off places, but Miles is determined to make sure Stanley finish above halfway this season.

“I don’t think finishing in the bottom half would do the season justice,” said the midfielder, who was recalled to the starting line-up for Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Port Vale.

“Not just with the cup runs we’ve had, but the league form this season. We’ve had some great results this season against the top teams.

“To finish in the bottom half, I know people say the league table doesn’t lie, but I think that would be slightly unfair on us.

“If you go back seven games, if you’d asked us at the start of the season would you want to be on 50-odd points with nearly 15 games to go, we’d have snapped your hand off.

“We set ourselves a target at the start of the season that first we didn’t want to be in relegation battle, which we managed quite early, and then we wanted to push on towards the play-offs.

“But the last few games have left a sour taste.

“I think we’ve beaten the points tally from last year, which is something we strive for every year.

“So if we can go unbeaten then that will probably take us into the top half.

“That takes you into next season then.”

Stanley expect Dean Bouzanis (shoulder) and Jimmy Ryan (back) to be available for tomorrow’s match.

Crewe, Tranmere and Notts County are reported to be interested in striker Billy Kee, whose loan from Leicester ends in the summer.

Possible Stanley line-up: Ian Dunbavin; Tom Lees, Phil Edwards, Darran Kempson, Dean Winnard; Jimmy Ryan, Andy Procter, Luke Joyce, John Miles; Michael Symes, Bobby Grant.

Referee: Peter Quinn (Cleveland)