James Beattie believes tomorrow’s game with Chesterfield is the start of a key period for his Stanley side to change their fortunes at the Store First Stadium.

The Reds have been left frustrated with recent home results but are looking for a first home win of 2014 against the League Two leaders ahead of three more home games in the coming weeks.

“We’ve got a good number of home games coming up and hopefully we can shift our good form to those home games but try to keep the away form going too!” said the manager.

“I think it’s just one of those things. The surface is probably the best it’s ever been so there’s no problem there. It might just be one of those unexplainable things that happen in football but we’re very keen to change it as soon as possible.”

The game sees the return of two ex-Stanley managers in Spireites boss Paul Cook and his assistant Leam Richardson who was the man who brought Beattie to the club as player/coach last season.

And the current occupant of the manager’s office is hoping that his former boss gets a warm welcome back from the Store First Stadium faithful.

“I hope that Leam gets a great reception,” he continued. “I think he did a tremendous job when he was manager here and we’re hoping we can go on a good run like we did at this time last season under him.

“I still speak to him on a regular basis and owe him a lot. I probably wouldn’t be doing this interview if it wasn’t for him. The level of respect will always be there because first and foremost he’s a friend but he’ll be coming here looking to get a result and take points from us. Our job is to stop him and Paul, and the Chesterfield players, from doing that.”

Chesterfield are two points clear at the top of the table and eyeing the title while the home side are looking to pick up three important points to climb further away from the relegation places.

“Being top of the league shows that they are a decent side,” explained Beattie. “I don’t think anybody outside of the club expects us to get anything from the game to be honest. They are top of the league because they are consistently better than anyone else.

“I’ll just tell the lads to go out and enjoy it. We’re massive underdogs but we don’t mind being in that position.”