JOHN Coleman says Accrington Stanley might not have re-established themselves in the Football League had it not been for the FA Cup.

The first round of the competition always evokes fond memories of the Reds' run during the 2003/04 season, when they beat Huddersfield Town in the first round with an Andy Gouck wonder goal, won a penalty shoot-out against AFC Bournemouth in a second round replay before bowing out with a narrow third round defeat away to Colchester United.

The run brought thousands of pounds into the club coffers - enough to ensure they were able to go full-time, and ultimately win promotion from the Nationwide Conference two season later.

It is a period that Coleman reflects on fondly.

Now, as fresh promotion ambitions have been ignited by Coleman's second spell in charge of Stanley, he has targeted another run to provide the springboard to more success.

"It would be nice to have a run in it. I don't think I've had too many with Accrington," he said.

"Obviously there was the Huddersfield/Bournemouth one which had a big bearing on the future of the club.

"It helped us go full-time and probably the reason where we are today is because of that cup run.

"So it would be nice to have another one and get some much needed funds into the coffers."

Progress into the second round would be worth £18,000 to Stanley. But Coleman insists it is not solely about the money.

"For as long as I can remember the most disappointing thing is when you're out and it's the next round of the FA Cup and you're not involved in it, so that's what we will be trying to hammer home to the players, that we have got to be involved in the next round," said the Reds boss.

"We are going there full of confidence, full of beans, and we will give it our best shot.

"We've got a good set of lads here. They (Notts County) watched us against Morecambe and they couldn't help but be impressed with our first half performance."

And that is one of the reasons, along with their general upturn in form since his return to the hotseat, that Coleman claims an away win would not be considered a cup shock.

"Notts County could have had an easier draw, that's the way I'm looking at it," he said, with Stanley boasting their best start to the League Two season and highest points total at this stage since promotion back into the Football League in 2006, with of 23 points from 16 games.

"Our form's been good of late. If we play to our strengths we can give anybody a game

He added: "It wouldn't be a cup shock for me if we win. That's more credit to our players than anything else."