ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman believes his side’s battling 3-2 win away at Portsmouth in League Two will serve as perfect preparation for the FA Cup second round replay at Yeovil Town tomorrow night.

With a home tie against Manchester United on offer for the winners the replay has dominated talk around the Store First Stadium since the draw was made.

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But the Reds showed their focus in securing three points on the south coast on Saturday which lifted them into the top half of the League Two table.

And Coleman, who saw John O’Sulllivan, Anthony Barry and Rob Atkinson pick up injuries, was delighted by his side’s performance.

He said: “Now our minds are on Yeovil. We have got to get back and pick a team for Tuesday. We have to go again. It is going to be another tough game but I am sure Yeovil will be expecting a tough game off us.

“I thought the lads showed great character again. I have seen that several times and hopefully that continues.”

Stanley were two up inside the opening quarter of an hour thanks to goals from Atkinson and O’Sullivan but Pompey hit back and Marcus Bean and Craig Westcarr ensured the scores were level at the break.

Reds skipper Luke Joyce then saw a second half penalty saved before Piero Mingoia hit the winner 12 minutes from time to lift the Reds to 11th.

Injured pair Atkinson and Barry will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s tie while O’Sullivan will not feature as he has not been given permission to play in the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers.

Coleman will also be without West Ham loanee Sean Maguire who is also cup-tied.