IN mid-February, Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman set his side a target of 10 more wins to make the League Two play-offs. Five down, five to go.

Goals from Phil Edwards, Ian Craney and Andy Procter helped Stanley cruise to a fourth consecutive home triumph last night and move to 12th in the table – within six points of the top seven and still with games in hand over the sides above them.

The Reds may have four points less than they had at this stage last season, but a rather stronger finish to the campaign this time around could yet put them in with a chance of promotion.

A mist hung over the Crown Ground for a game that was originally postponed in December, and Stanley came close to taking the lead when Jimmy Ryan’s swerving shot was saved by Adam Legzdins.

Stanley did move in front midway through the half, though, as Terry Gornell saw his header saved from Sean Hessey's cross before Edwards scrambled the ball into the roof of the net.

With his 11th goal of the season - albeit nine of them from the penalty spot - the centre back overtook Gornell as Stanley's top scorer for the campaign.

Craney came close to making it 2-0 when he fired narrowly wide, but it was the midfielder who scored the Reds' second goal just three minutes into the second half.

Legzdins failed to properly deal with a backpass, embarrassingly scuffing it straight to Craney on the edge of the box.

Hardly able to believe his luck, the former Fleetwood man rounded the keeper before finding the net from a tight angle.

Struggling Burton seldom threatened and this game was proving as comfortable as last week's 3-0 win over the equally inept Stockport as Procter collected Ryan's pass and curled a sumptuous effort into the far corner.

The Brewers did bag a consolation late on as substitute Greg Pearson turned home from close range but Stanley will hope for a similarly dominant performance when they travel to the Pirelli Stadium for the reverse fixture on the last day of the season.

Before then, they host seventh-placed Port Vale on Saturday in what now represents a real opportunity to push themselves firmly into the promotion picture.

With seven of the Reds' final 12 games due to take place at the Crown Ground, their current home form certainly seems reason for optimism.

Stanley: Alex Cisak 7; Dean Winnard 7, Phil Edwards 7, Sean Hessey 7, Joe Jacobson 7; Luke Joyce 7 (Peter Murphy 73), Andy Procter 8; Jimmy Ryan 7, Ian Craney 7 (Ray Putterill 86), Sean McConville 7 (Craig Lindfield 82); Terry Gornell 7. Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Kevin Long, Tom Smyth, Rory Boulding.

Burton: Adam Legzdins; Andy Corbett, Tony James, Ryan Austin, Scott Malone; Adam Bolder, Jacques Maghoma (Jack Dyer 81); Simon Whaley (Nialle Rooney 54), Russell Penn, Aaron Webster (Greg Pearson 46); Sam Winnall. Subs not used: Kevin Poole, Darren Moore, Jimmy Phillips, Richard Walker.