ACCRINGTON Stanley’s milestone man Luke Joyce wants the Reds to find consistency in their hunt for a League Two play-off place.

The central midfielder made his 250th appearance for the club during Friday night’s 3-2 defeat to Exeter City, something he never imagined doing when he joined from Carlisle United in June 2009.

“Obviously when you first sign you don’t look at any targets like that,” he said. “It’s great that I’ve managed to get so many games in as it means I’ve kept myself fit and been in the team regularly.”

There have been many ups and downs since Joyce arrived at Livingstone Road since Joyce first walked in the door but he is in no doubt as to his greatest achievement is during his five years at Accrington.

“Becoming captain is something I’m really proud of. It’s great to be representing such a good club every week and going into training every day. It’s been the most enjoyable part of my career,” he added.

Unfortunately for the 27 year-old, the Reds could not celebrate his landmark with a win as Matt Grimes’ free-kick ensured Exeter took all three points from the Store First Stadium.

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Stanley have not won successive league matches since a three-game winning streak when John Coleman returned in September, and Joyce believes finding that consistency is key to their hopes of mounting a play-off charge.

“We just can’t get a prolonged run of victories at the minute. We won three on the bounce when the manager first came back but we’re losing the odd one here and there,” he said.

“If we can keep taking six points every three games we’ll end up near the top seven, which is something we’re really keen on doing and something we believe we can do. We’ve got the squad and the players but it’s getting the consistency of winning games regularly.

“If we put a run together and get points on the board then we can get into the play-offs. It’s a very tight league but if you get a few wins on the bounce you soon move up the table.”

Joyce, 27, has enjoyed an impressive midfield partnership with Andy Procter, who rejoined the club in August just 18 months after leaving to join Preston.

Procter spent a decade with Stanley as they rose through the football pyramid and back into the Football League and, with more than 400 appearances to his name, he is closing in on Paul Mullin’s record of 465 appearances for the Reds.

“Proc has been a great servant to Accrington and he’s still only 31 so he’s got a good few years left in him yet,” smiled Joyce. “I’ll do very well to catch up with him!”