JOHN Coleman is not thinking about the record Stanley hold over Morecambe ahead of tonight’s clash at the Store First Stadium.

The Shrimps haven’t beaten Stanley in 15 attempts in the league, going back to Conference days, as the Reds certainly seem to have a hex over their Lancashire rivals.

But the Stanley boss says this will count for nothing when the two teams clash on Halloween.

“We do have a good record in the league but there is no point getting carried away with things like that,” said Coleman.

“I seemed to have the jinx over Morecambe for a long time myself and, when I went to Rochdale, I couldn’t beat them in three games so what’s gone on in the past will have no bearing on what goes on tonight.

“I am sure they will be highlighting that as much as we will. It’s all about what we do on the day.”

Coleman is good friends with Morecambe boss Jim Bentley and his assistant Ken McKenna and there are links between the two especially with former Stanley players Padraig Amond, Mark Hughes , Jamie Devitt, Lawrence Wilson and  Jack Sampson now playing for the Shrimps.

“Jim and Ken are good friends of mine and Jimmy (Bell’s) and I have a lot of respect for both of them,” continued Coleman.

“We have tried to help each other out over the years. Jim especially is Morecambe through and through and deservedly has that status for what he has contributed to the club as a player and a manager.

“Kenny brings different strengths and is a great football person with a lot of knowledge.

“But that friendship goes aside for 90 minutes and then will resume in the office afterwards.

“As a player you can get physical on the pitch but I can’t see me, Jimmy, Jim and Kenny fighting!”

Stanley are in 16^th spot with the Shrimps in eighth – but with only three points separating the sides.

Coleman, however, feels the Reds aren’t in their true position after close defeats to Dagenham and  Stevenage and then a draw at Newport where they had a goal disallowed for off-side – but replays showed it wasn’t.

“We feel we are a couple of points short of where we should be and that’s why we are desperate for three points against Morecambe. That would address the balance to an extent tonight.”