ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Nicky Hunt says the Reds must start as they mean to go on.

John Coleman’s side kick-off 2015 with one of the longest trips of the season as they face Exeter City away.

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But Hunt is hopeful the journey will be made easier by returning with three points as Stanley aim to begin the new year as they mean to go on.

It is inevitable that those connected with the club will ponder ‘what might have been’ this weekend, as the FA Cup third round games are played.

Accrington had the chance to play for a dream home tie with Premier League giants Manchester United in their second round replay with Yeovil, but lost out to League One opposition.

But former Bolton Wanderers full back Hunt says there is nothing they can do about the past, and instead they must take charge of their own destiny.

“It has had its ups and downs,” said 31-year-old of the first half of the season.

“We obviously didn’t have the best of starts and then I think it was all coming together when we beat Tranmere, followed up by the home win over Wimbledon, which were two home games we needed to win.”

Stanley started the 2013/14 season with a 12-game winless streak in League Two and suffered similar struggles this term, winning at the sixth attempt against Tranmere. A mid-season change of manager followed, with John Coleman returning for his second spell in charge of the club he first served for 13 years, guiding them back into the Football League in the process.

Hunt insists it is no time to look back, and says there is no-one to fear as the 13th placed side bid to plot a path to the play-offs in the second half of the season.

“Unlike the last couple of seasons, I don’t think there is any team who we should fear, there is no outstanding team,” he said.

“The one team that has impressed me, I guess, has been Shrewsbury but I think, when they played us, they played well and we didn’t play to the best of our ability so I am not sure if that’s a fair reflection.”

After Exeter, Friday night football will feature again at the Store First Stadium with the visit of Bury.

“We have been strong at home recently and we need to continue this and make it a real fortress going forward,” said Hunt, who after two relegation battles with the Reds is now targeting the top seven.

“I believe we have a good enough squad to do it.”

“Now we are looking up and to finish fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh in the league would be an unbelievable achievement for this club and “I don’t know the manager’s plans in January but he will obviously be looking to strengthen and we will have competition in all areas and are looking a very good team. It can only help us progress.”

“Wycombe came here recently as the top of the league and we battered them in the second half and I am sure, if the Burton game had gone ahead on Sunday, we would have given them a great game.”