ACCRINGTON Stanley's new signing Tony Black wants his second spell at the Crown Ground to be one to remember.

The former Wigan striker spent a season at Stanley under Leighton James and Billy Rodaway in 1998 but didn't have such happy times as the Reds were relegated.

He had already moved on to Chorley and then Leigh RMI by then but this time the 33-year-old wants to make sure that he only experiences the good times of promotion with Stanley.

"I didn't have a lot of success the first time I was there so I want to make sure I go there and hopefully help them win the title," said the Burnley hitman.

Black had spent three years at Leigh, scoring 23 goals to help them win the UniBond Premier title and 19 in the first season in the Conference when they finished fifth.

Last season was a battle against relegation and they are struggling in 20th place at the moment. Black was still on contract at Hilton Park but, with work and family commitments, had thought about packing football in.

"But I knew I would miss it too much, I want to play as long as I can. So I left Leigh on good terms. I was going to Stalybridge but the Accrington move interested me more."

He know he faces a stiff battle for a place with in-form Lutel James and Paul Mullin up front. "I don't want to pinch anybody's place but I don't want to be sat on the bench either. Paul and Lutel gel well together and I just want to fit in.

"At Wigan I was a winger and at Leigh I played in the hole behind the front two as a third striker and it worked. I think John Coleman might have this idea for me."

Black came into professional football late, being picked up from Bamber Bridge by Wigan, helping them win the Division Three title before injury curtailed his career.

He hadn't been to the Crown Ground for a while and was amazed when he watched them against Wakefield and Emley last Saturday.

"I couldn't believe it when I went back. It is built for Conference football. They have the ground, the team, the set-up and the fans."

His former boss Steve Waywell said: "Tony has been fantastic for us but wants to play at a club more local. Accrington have massive potential."

Meanwhile Coleman is gearing up for tomorrow's FA Cup second qualifying round clash at home to Billingham Town where Black is ineligible.

The Northern Counties side have had a cracking start to the campaign and are challenging for the league title.

"They are a strong side with a few ex-professionals," said Coleman whose side have faltered in recent FA Cup campaigns. "It is important for us to get through this round, the money (£7,500) is important and it also keeps the interest alive at the club.

"We'd be foolish not to take it seriously."

Coleman will give late fitness tests to goalkeeper Jamie Speare - with Danny Thorpe waiting in the wings as new shot-stopper Dave Pierce wasn't signed in time - and skipper Peter Cavanagh. Winger Dean Calcutt could be back after recovering from a hamstring injury.