Stanley's late goal hero Billy Kee says last night's 3-2 win over Championship Preston North End is a sign of how far this side have come.
Kee headed home the winner deep into added time to send the Reds into the second round of the Carabao Cup.
It followed a frantic finish to the tie that saw three goals in the final seven minutes, sparking memorable celebrations at the Wham Stadium.
“I never ever celebrate,” said Kee! “All the lads have been laughing because tonight I've run 20-yards following the goal to celebrate.
“It was a great moment for myself and for the team but I knew it was special for the fans so I wanted to enjoy the moment with them.
“To score the winning goal on a night like that is a great feeling, I don't normally score too many in those types of games so I was happy to play my part this time.”
“We've held our own against a Championship club, it shows just how far we've come to see us getting hold of the ball and playing our football against a very good Preston side.”
Stanley boss John Coleman made five changes to the side that beat Colchester on Saturday, including three first starts in the defence, and Kee was keen to praise his new teammates.
“It's a sign of the strength of the squad we have here,” he said. “We had three lads at the back making their first starts for us and they barely put a foot wrong all night.
“Tom [Dallison] and Tyler [Forbes] we're outstanding at full-back and Simon [Jorgensen] in goal made some really important saves at crucial moments.
“In the midfield Scotty Brown ran himself into the ground, Liam Nolan was excellent and Kayden Jackson up front, he can run that boy!”
Following last seasons dramatic win over fellow Lancashire rivals Burnley, Kee joked about who he wants to see Stanley drawn against in the next round.
“It'd be nice to get Blackburn and complete the set of Lancashire derby cup wins,” he added. “But in all seriousness a cup run is so important to a club like us.”
“We saw last year the rewards that can come, the fans love them and tonight we've given them another one to be proud of.
“Now we make sure we are ready for Yeovil on Saturday, we need to keep our concentration and prepare right.”