John Coleman has called Saturday’s game ‘a six pointer’ as the Reds take on AFC Wimbledon at the Wham Stadium.
Glyn Hodges’ team are in 19th spot, two places and two points below Stanley, and they have a game in hand.
They have one win – over Peterborough – two draws and one loss this month while Stanley are looking for their first league win in 2020.
“It is a six pointer, you cannot underestimate the importance of every three points and this is a big game for us,” said Coleman.
“We have lost to teams around us recently, Rochdale and Southend, and I was bitterly disappointed with them as, if we played them eight times, we would probably win seven of them but you have to look forward now.
“I have watched AFC Wimbledon a number of times and they are better than their league position, they have threats all over the park and they had a good win over Peterborough recently.”
Coleman has been limited up front with Colby Bishop injured, Billy Kee now retiring and Swansea loan striker Courtney Baker-Richardson having a prolonged spell out injured.
“Goals breed confidence and, ironically against Peterborough, it’s the first time we haven’t scored in 14 games. We have been finding the back of the net but not as many times as we should with the chances we have created.
“We have got to get back to hitting the target. Against Salford, we had 20 shots but only two on target; against Southend we had 20 shots but only hit the target five times and, against Peterborough, we only found the target twice.
“We have got to get back to finding the target 10/11 times and, if you do that, you should get two or three goals.
“The positive thing about Peterborough is that it was 60%/40% possession to us so we are getting back to keeping the ball and we passed the ball well in the first half.
“We got a bit ragged in the last half an hour but we have to build on that. We have got to make sure, when we get the opportunity, we go for the kill.”
Midfielder Sam Finley is still injured as is goalkeeper Dimi Evtimov and attacking player Wilson Carvalho.