JAMES Beattie has challenged Accrington Stanley to start another good run after welcoming a free weekend.

The Reds boss felt his players looked tired in the defeat at then bottom club Northampton Town last month, which ended the in-form Reds stretch of three straight wins in an eight-game unbeaten run which lifted them off the bottom and twice put Beattie in the manager of the month frame.

A first round FA Cup defeat to Tranmere Rovers meant no game for Stanley on second round weekend.

And Beattie has called for his troops to benefit from recharged batteries by getting back to winning ways when League Two action resumes with the visit of Exeter City on Saturday.

“The run came to an end at Northampton and I’ve challenged them to go on another one after they’ve had this little break and regained their energy,” said Beattie.

“I think the majority of the team have played the majority of the games where we’ve done so well and I think against Northampton a few looked a bit tired.

“The break is a great opportunity for us to give some of the players a rest and to monitor how they’re progressing through training during the week.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to recuperate and regroup and look forward to the next game.”

After Exeter, Stanley have three more games over the festive period, before the New Year’s Day derby at Fleetwood Town.

“It could either be a great period or a bad one,” said Beattie.

“The games come in quick succession and if good performances are to continue then you get a chance straight away to do that.

“On the other hand if there are some not so good performances then you’ve got a chance to rectify them and put them right.

“It’s always a period of time that we look forward to not only because it’s Christmas, there are a lot of games and a lot of points to be won.”

There is also some time for reflection on the Reds’ road to recovery.

After going 12 league games without a win from the start of the season, 18 points from a possible 27 has lifted them to 19th.

“It could be a lot better but with the initial start that we got off to the lads have come a long way as a group,” said. boss Beattie.

“I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made, not just in the last several weeks but from the start. The performances were always there or thereabouts but it was just that finishing touch that we needed.

“Thankfully it clicked with the lads and they went on a decent run.”