ACCRINGTON Stanley skipper Luke Joyce is determined to see his side return to winning ways against Bury tomorrow night.

The Reds were beaten 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday to drop to 15th in the League Two table, eight points off the play-offs.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But John Coleman’s men have games in hand on most of the clubs above them and Joyce knows that three points in the first of those against the Shakers tomorrow night at the Store First Stadium can help Stanley cut the gap to to the top seven.

Luke Joyce knows the second goal was the killer moment as Stanley lost 2-1 to AFC Wimbledon.

“We desperately wanted to win the game and, while it’s two defeats on the bounce, it’s not a major crisis and we have the chance to put it right on Tuesday in a massive local derby against Bury,” said Joyce.

“You only have to look at what happened last season and how we bounced back and I am sure we can do it again.

“We have to look at ourselves and be honest with ourselves and think how we can improve.”

Stanley’s clash with the Shakers tomorrow night will be their first home game since a draw with Wycombe on December 20, and with a home clash with Northampton to come on Saturday, Joyce is targeting six points.

He added: “If we can get a win on Tuesday and a bit of momentum then we can make the most of the home games.

“The easy way out is to say things are going against us and it’s not our day.

“We know mistakes have been made and that the goals we have conceded have been really disappointing goals.

“The last two games have been away from home and in tough places at Tranmere and Wimbledon.

“The only bonus is we have a game on Tuesday against Bury and it is a great game to put it right.”

Stanley fell behind on Saturday when Wimbledon’s Sean Rigg gave the home side a first half lead.

But the Reds were on top and threatening an equaliser in the second half only for Adebayo Azeez to double the Dons’ advantage against the run of play.

Adam Buxton did pull a late goal back for the Reds on his return from injury but Joyce knows the second goal was the turning point.

“We are all frustrated and disappointed,” said the skipper.

“There wasn’t a great deal in the game and the second goal was the sucker punch especially in the manner we conceded it.

“We applied pressure (in the second half) and looked more of a threat than we did in the first half.”