ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has praised his side’s bit part players for their role in a sensational season.

The Reds chief has largely kept to the same XI this term, particularly in the second half of the campaign when Stanley went on a sensational run to climb from ninth to top and ultimately secure the League Two title.

The likes of Liam Nolan, who was handed a start in the final day defeat to Swindon Town, Danny Williams, Erico Sousa, Harvey Rodgers and Offrande Zanzala have had to make do with places on the bench during the final third of the season.

Nolan has featured 35 times in all competitions this term but Zanzala, who joined on loan from Derby in January, and Sousa have six league appearances, all off the bench.

Rodgers, another January addition has played five league games with one start while Williams has managed just one substitute outing.

Despite their lack of playing time, Coleman has been impressed with the attitude of the players not in his starting side and believes without their application the first choice XI would have not performed as well.

The Reds boss said: “I have been absolutely delighted with the players that haven’t been playing and certainly since the turn of the year because without their support and without their drive and pushing the lads on we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have achieved.

“For them to show the spirit that they have shown when they have been bitterly disappointed about not playing and not being in the team, to keep their enthusiasm up for such a long period is a testament to their characters and without them that wouldn’t have been possible.”