SEAN McConville believes Stanley can thrive on the big-match occasion when they make the journey to Luton Town tonight.

The Reds travel south sitting fourth in the table but face a tough challenge against a Hatters outfit who have the best home record in League One.

The clash will have added spice given the two team’s rivalry when coming up from League Two together last season and the manner of Stanley’s last minute 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road in March.

McConville was on target in that fixture and felt it was a key milestone in the title race, won by the Reds.

“It was a defining moment for us,” he said. “I think we were second at the time and that took us top of the lead with 10 games to go.

“I think moments like that are pivotal. When you get a 94th minute winner to go top against the team that were top, sometimes for the other team it is a psychological blow. After that game I think Luton hit a bit of a sticky patch and our form was unbelievable.

“But it is a new season, there are new players on both sides. It will be a great game, it always is, they have good fans at Luton that are on top of you and it is a really tough place to go.

“A Tuesday night game under the lights can make for a really entertaining encounter and it is one I am looking forward to.”

The home fans will certainly create a hostile atmosphere for the Reds and be keen to avenge that March loss but McConville feels that could play into Stanley’s hands.

“We can thrive off it, it is a really good old fashioned stadium to go to and play football. Luton play football the right way under their manager who is a good manager and who has done really well for them.

“But there is nothing to be afraid of, we went there last year and won and I know their home record is really good but it is not something that will faze us, it is something that we will relish.

“We will go there as underdogs and try and come away with three points.” After Luton secured promotion alongside Stanley in April their boss Nathan Jones spoke of how he felt his side were the best team in the league despite finishing five points behind the Reds.

McConville didn’t agree with the view then and doesn’t now, but knows it will have no bearing on tonight’s clash.

“In my eyes whoever wins the league is the best team in the league that season,” said McConville. “It is baffling to think that someone who finished second would say they were the best team. It doesn’t make sense to me. Whether he regrets the comments or he doesn’t it doesn’t matter. It is in the past and we are looking to the future.”