Had the 2015-16 season finished 10 minutes earlier, Accrington Stanley would be playing League 1 football this campaign.

Stanley were sitting pretty in the third and final promotion place when the fourth officials' boards went up around the country at the start of injury time, two points clear of nearest challengers Bristol Rovers, and seemingly on their way to the third tier for the first time since 1958.

But when Billy Bodin struck late for Rovers to send them up at Stanley's expense, the dream began to crumble.

Another last-gasp defeat in the play-offs, to Wimbledon in extra time, sealed another season in League 2, and a lingering feeling their big chance may have slipped from their grasp.

So it's just as well manager John Coleman, who said in April promotion would have eclipsed even Leicester City's Premier League title win, is not one to dwell on the past.

"After the play-off defeat he said that he was proud of finishing with 85 points, but wasn't proud of finishing fourth," says Accrington fan and blogger Gabriel Sutton. "There are Premier League managers who could learn from that.

"John demands high standards; I covered a 4-2 win over Exeter where they played some great football, but in his post-match interview he was fuming about the goals they conceded.

"But promtion this season is a big ask. The team still has the core of a good defence so top half is the minimum expectation. Top seven chances depend on the quality of replacements for key attacking players.

Times Series: Picture: Action ImagesPicture: Action Images

Josh Windass' goals will prove hard to replace.

Two gaping holes are still yet to be plugged in Coleman's front line for the new season,  with 15-goal man Josh Windass poached by SPL big boys Rangers, and Piero Mingoia departing for Cambridge - where he has already scored two in two.

"It hasn't been an ideal summer," adds Sutton. "Those two have gone, as well as key centre-back Tom Davies and others you could argue will be big misses.

"Most new signings are players the club were willing to give a second chance, rather than ones they wrestled off the league's big hitters."

Times Series: Picture: Action ImagesPicture: Action Images

Former Burnley youngster Shay McCartan is hoping for a big season.

In terms of players still at the club, inside forward Shay McCartan could be the man to watch out for from the away side, having started both of Accrington's wins over Doncaster and Bradford in their opening two games.

"He's often been used as an impact sub in previous seasons but with less established competition around him, this could be the year he nails down a first team place.

"He's quick and exciting to watch so I feel he'll do well, both this season and on Saturday."

Gabriel Sutton runs The Football Lab and can be found tweeting under the handle @_FootbalLab