Springboard to top-half finish for Nottingham

MATCHWINNER Michael Nottingham hopes Saturday’s away win at Fleetwood can provide a springboard to a top-half finish for Accrington Stanley.

The defender’s 94th minute header sunk the Cod Army and handed the Reds a first win on the road since November.

And ahead of the Good Friday clash against Burton Albion at the Wham Stadium, Nottingham said: “Hopefully it’s massive and we can take it forward into the next game – obviously we’re at home and we’ve been really good at home this season. That’s the only thing we think about now, try to finish as strong as possible. It would be nice if we could finish in the too half of the table – that’s the aim.

“Saturday’s win at Fleetwood was a mix of emotions – delight and relief.

“It’s an away win that was overdue and to be fair I don’t know whether we can really say we deserved it. I don’t think we were amazing on the day, we just stuck in there and tried to grind it out. When we spoke before the game it was just about making sure we got the win in any way possible and we managed that in the end and that’s the only important thing.”

Stanley had to come from behind to secure the three points and Nottingham said struggling Fleetwood made it difficult for them.

“It felt like if we did get the goal early in the second half that we’d go on to win. But credit to them, they dug deep and made it hard for us, they had a few chances in the first half themselves but we did too and that’s something we need to improve on, converting more of our chances.

“The longer the game goes on and we don’t convert, I think we’re more susceptible to conceding.”