JOHN Coleman celebrated a hat-trick for summer signing Sean McConville, and a first goal for Matt Crooks, but urged his Accrington Stanley side to keep working on their conversion rate ahead of tomorrow’s friendly with Burnley.

The Reds were in friendly action on Wednesday night and went in front through winger McConville’s first but were pegged back by North West Counties Premier League side Nelson, before winning 4-1.

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“Knocking on the door paid off because eventually we kicked the door in,” said Coleman.

“We’d like to take more of the chances that we create and that’s something that we have to work on, but it’s better for that to happen in pre-season than competitive games.”

The win at Nelson followed a Tuesday victory over AFC Darwen when Stanley won 3-0.

“We played well, probably better than at Darwen and that’s no disrespect to the team that played there. There was a better tempo about this game and we created better chances and eventually the goals went in.”

Shay McCartan saw a second-half penalty saved before the hour, and with 10 minutes to go the score remained 1-1.

But McConville scored twice either side of Crooks’ header.

“Sean could have had five or six,” said Coleman.

“You know what you are getting from him: he’s got an eye for goal, he’s clever, he’s cute and he always gets chances and is a good finisher.”

Of Crooks, Coleman added: “I can say I was there when he actually hit the target! Joking aside, he played great. Apart from giving the ball away for their goal. he was exceptional.”