RELIEVED Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley insists the Reds must avoid a second successive season in which they scrap away to save their Football League skin.

Stanley held onto their League Two status on Saturday after a thrilling 3-2 victory over rivals Macclesfield at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.

Now the celebrations have died down, plans are already in place for next season, and ambitious Whalley is targeting a much higher league position.

Following a turbulent campaign, both on and off the pitch, he admits the club must learn lessons and avoid being sucked into another relegation battle.

"We don't want to be in the same situation again - well I certainly don't," revealed Whalley.

"It's alright finishing fourth from bottom but we need to push on now and look forward to next season.

"Everybody realises that being in the Football League is the place to be and we intend to stay here.

"But it's important that we do sort the team out. We've got to look to bring seven or eight new players in over the summer."

While bookmakers may tip Stanley for another struggling season, Whalley feels he has seen enough to believe that the Reds can challenge League Two's big-hitters and even mount a promotion bid.

And with boss John Coleman at the helm, the confident chairman feels Stanley boast a manager capable of taking the club to new heights.

Whalley added: "I'm sure there's another promotion in us yet. I would certainly hope so.

"Based on what we've done this year, and based on what we know, we've all learned a lot.

"I'm sure John and (assistant) Jimmy Bell have learned a lot about the strengths of most sides in League Two.

"At set-pieces, most sides have about four or five six-foot plus players and corners and free-kicks is something that we will have to work on.

"I'm sure we will get the right people in so we can combat them and move on."

Coleman is faced with a tricky period ahead, not only bringing in fresh faces, but also with the possibility of moving on several of his current players, some of whom are out of contract this summer.

Whalley added: "It will be tough for John because he's going to have to tell people that he travels in with from Liverpool that he won't be taking them on.

"Of course, it's a bit different from Non-League, because most of them had jobs then whereas now the football club is their place of employment."