"THE pressure is on us."

That is the view of Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman ahead of tonight's crunch promotion clash with Wycombe Wanderers.

It is the third time in eight days that Stanley have played host to a promotion rival, with one win and one defeat so far.

While victory for the Reds would close the gap on the automatic promotion spots, success for the Chairboys would put them into the play-offs, but Coleman is in no doubt who needs the victory more.

“I think the pressure is very much on us and it’s how we respond to it. We have to win," he said.

“It will be a very tough game, they’re a good side, they know the league inside out and they’ve got experienced players.

“If we can give other teams difficult games we’ve got a good chance. The one time we didn’t do that was against Portsmouth."

Stanley looked to be heading for a second successive defeat when they trailed 1-0 to Plymouth with five minutes to go, but Billy Kee and Shay McCartan scored to turn the game on its head.

And Coleman is keen to see his side continue to play the game with enjoyment, even as the pressure goes up.

"They’re playing with a sense of fun and when you do that fear can quickly go out of the window," he said.=

"I do think we’ve had a couple of games where we’ve looked, not scared, but edgy and tight, notably both Carlisle games, where we didn’t seem right, and then the Portsmouth game.

"The tension has got the better of them on occasions. The easiest way (to play with a sense of fun) is to win."

The Wham Stadium faithful played their part in Saturday's win, roaring Stanley on in the closing stages, and Coleman is pleased to see those who do attend make up for those who don't in the noise stakes.

“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and try and play good football and hope that the people of Accrington will come and support us, he said.

“I’m mystified, I really am. Every time we've done well the crowds have swelled. The prices have dropped this time, I’m mystified of what is going on.

“You can’t praise the people who came enough. They’re the lifeblood of the club and without them the club wouldn’t exist.

“I think they’re starting to slowly think that they’ve got to make up for the missing numbers by being louder, and long may it continue."