ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman is keen for his side to build on their first victory since Boxing Day as he prepares for the visit of Southend United this weekend.

The Reds beat Oxford United 4-2 in midweek to end their winless League One run and, following a 2-2 draw at Sunderland last week, it means the Reds have scored six goals in two games having gone six without one.

Coleman was relieved to get the victory against the U's on Tuesday night which leaves his side with a seven point cushion to the bottom four.

And he wants Stanley to put together a run of form with three home games on the bounce between now and next weekend.

"We have to build on wins. We felt that if we could get our goals then more will follow and let's hope it is the same with goals," he said.

"We have to keep going and try and win games.

"I believe we should be higher up in the table but we are where we are for a reason. We have got to battle away, re-group, the experienced players have got to come to the fore and ease the tension when it is there and up the tempo when it is needed."

The Reds opened up a two-goal cushion against Oxford thanks to Billy Kee and Sean McConville goals but Luke Garbutt reduced the arrears.

Jordan Clark made it 3-1 for the home side before Karl Robinson's men responded again through John Mousinho but Luke Armstrong put the result beyond doubt in added time.

And Coleman admitted it had been a nervy second half.

"We looked like a team who hadn't won for ages and we looked determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory," he said.

"When you haven't won for a while you get edgy and we stopped doing everything that was good in the first half in the second half and you have to give Oxford credit because they upped their game. They were brave and committed a lot of men forward.

"I was pleased that we kept going and got the goals, we scored three in the second half which is amazing because we played miles better in the first half.

"I think on the balance of the game we just about deserved to win."

"It is pleasing that we are scoring four goals but we would have liked to have been a bit more comfortable.

"We did create chances, I thought we were very good in the first half. We played with an energy, a great tempo and with great passion.

"We went 2-0 up against the run of play and similar to the Sunderland game we didn't have a chance to enjoy that 2-0 lead as within minutes we were pegged back to 2-1.

"Then you are fearing the worst that the same thing will happen but we upped our game and got the third. It is bad defending for their second goal but thankfully Luke has popped up with a goal."