ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeper Jason Mooney believes a full week on the training ground can help the Reds build a platform heading into a busy September.

John Coleman’s side have played four matches already this season in a busy opening two weeks, taking four points to sit 12th ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Northampton.

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And Mooney, who has made the goalkeeping position his own so far this campaign after joining from York City in the summer, believes that having a free midweek can help Stanley take maximum points against the Cobblers.

“We’ll be working hard this week to improve and be ready for the game,” said Mooney, who is currently being challenged for the Stanley goalkeeping shirt by Ross Etheridge.

“When it’s Saturday-Tuesday you don’t really get too much chance to do work on the training pitch.

“Monday you’re doing work on shape for the game, Tuesday you play, Wednesday you don’t train, Thursday it’s tough but just one session and then Friday you’re preparing again.”

The Stanley stopper is also taking confidence from the late point the Reds secured at Meadow Lane on Saturday when Matt Crooks scored an 88th-minute equaliser.

And Mooney felt his side deserved at least a draw out of the trip and admitted he was disappointed not to back up his clean sheet in the win over Mansfield with another on Saturday.

“Before they scored it looked like it was going to be back-to-back clean sheets,” said the Northern Irishman, who has only conceded three goals in the opening four games of the season.

“I felt good and the defence looked good in front of me and we never really felt that troubled so it was a bit out of the blue to be honest.

“If people can see things coming together from off the pitch then that speaks for itself. I’ve felt it for a couple of weeks but it didn’t culminate in clean sheets until the game with Mansfield. I know think that the more we play together the better it will be.”

Following Saturday’s League Two clash, Coleman’s side entertain League One neighbours Bury on Tuesday night in the Johnstone Paint Trophy first round.