ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Robbie Williams admitted that Tuesday night's FA Trophy defeat at Hereford went down as one of the worst moments of his five-and-a-half year career with the Reds.

But the 24-year-old, who notched 200 appearances with Stanley in the initial tie with the Bulls, believes there are much better times ahead for John Coleman's men.

And he praised the Stanley boss, and assistant manager Jimmy Bell, for their part in not only masterminding the club's progress, but also his development as a player.

"You've got to take your hat off to John and Jimmy, the chairman, directors and the people that have come in because they've turned the club around. But I'm sure they have still got things they want to do as well," Williams said.

"They've shown a lot of faith in me and I would like to think I've repaid them a little bit.

"They've done a lot for me and the rest of the players, more so since we've gone full-time. They've worked and tried to develop everyone's game, not just mine.

"Last year when we were part-time we didn't really get the opportunity to do that.

"But I'm still learning every day and every game. You never stop learning."

And Williams is confident that the management and coaching staff will be working hard in the run-up to tomorrow's Conference clash at Tamworth (kick-off 3pm) to ensure Stanley bounce back from their midweek FA Trophy exit, after losing 4-0 to Hereford United in the third round replay.

"I don't know what it is about Stanley and the Trophy, and the manager himself hasn't had a run in the competition either," he said.

"We didn't do ourselves any favours with the way we played in either game.

"We should have put the game to bed on Saturday but no-one created any chances and it was a real bore draw.

"But we're out of the Trophy now, there's nothing we can do about that. The only thing we can do is keep our mind on the league and carry on the recent form we've shown in the Conference.

"You can't get too negative about things, you've just got to try to go into the next game and be positive."

He added: "Luckily, it's not often that we concede four goals. Recently we haven't been conceding many at all."

Fortunately, with memorable moments such as winning promotion to the Conference and the FA Cup run last season, Williams has many highlights of his Stanley career to look back on and inspire him for the future.

"Making 200 appearances is an achievement I'm proud of," he said.

"I didn't play that much in the first couple of years I was here because I was being kept out of the side, then when I did I picked up little niggly injuries.

"Hopefully I have a lot more games for Stanley to come - and it would be nice to think I've got another 200 appearances ahead of me. In a higher league would be nice, but I'm not taking anything for granted because you never know what could happen. You just keep your fingers crossed that you keep playing and doing well.

"I certainly don't want to be turning in any more performances like Tuesday night though, that's for sure."

MIDFIELDER Brannan will be sidelined for up to three weeks after an X-ray revealed he sustained cracked ribs following a collision with an opponent in Tuesday night's game at Hereford.

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"But

"I was at fault for a couple of goals, plus the sending off didn't help us.

"We tried not to concede but with their first shot, they scored.

"Sometimes when you hit a spell of not being able to create many chances it's hard to get out of that lull in a way.

Unwanted trip to Hereford but Williams insisted: "There are no excuses.

"

Highlights promotion to the Conference and last season's FA Cup run among his favourite moments.

"There haven't been too many low points, to be honest.

"People forget that every season we have progressed under their management