Karl Robinson says there is more to come from his Salford side after they moved to within a point of the League Two play-off spots with a 2-0 win over Accrington.
Haji Mnoga put Salford ahead with his first league goal, stroking the ball home from Ossama Ashley’s cross after 48 minutes.
Cole Stockton then headed home his sixth goal of the season late on to secure only Salford’s second league away win of the campaign.
Robinson, who took over Salford just days after they lost this corresponding fixture 3-0 last season, said: “This time last year we came here and got overrun in every area of the football pitch, physically tactically and technically, and 12 months on and we are one point off the play-offs with more to come.
“In the summer there were 17 out and 15 or 16 in and that was one of the biggest turnabouts and we are still a long way from the team we want to be because of injuries.
“But the first pleasing thing is we are starting to come together, the second is that we stood up to the fight. We had an aggressive mindset and a tenacity. We tackled hard and fair and some of our football was scintillating at times and a joy to watch.
“I thought we were dominant and I felt it was a case of when was the first goal going to come. It was a great first goal from our point of view. It was pleasing to see that goal go in and even more pleasing to see the second go in!
“It’s a step in the right direction. There is a lot more to come from this team.
“We know how up and down an EFL season can be but we have got to make sure we don’t come off this.
“We have lost two in 17 games in all competitions and now four in five clean sheets and we are starting to score goals as well.”
Tyler Walton hit the post for Stanley in the first half but Accrington have now not won in six league games and are just above the bottom two.
Manager John Doolan said: “It was very disappointing. When we had possession, we couldn’t find a red shirt and it’s just basic stuff. We didn’t control the ball, get wide or put any quality balls in the box or have the shots we should have.
“We were unlucky with Tyler’s shot that hit the post but that wasn’t us. I can only apologise to the fans as we couldn’t get going as we couldn’t get the basics right.
“It’s a letdown for every supporter, it’s on us. I didn’t see that coming.
“This was a chance to get away from the bottom two and now it’s a fight, it’s a scrap and I want to see a reaction.”
