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James Beattie's calm approach to management has helped Accrington Stanley to the brink of League Two safety, says full-back Nicky Hunt.

Stanley failed to win any of their first 12 games of the season but have recovered well and are six points clear of the drop zone with five games left.

"He's become a unique manager with his own unique style," Hunt said of Beattie; in his first year as a boss.

"He very rarely shouts at players and we've benefitted."

Hunt, who was Beattie's first permanent signing as Accrington boss, continued: "We've got a lot of young players and sometimes if you're being loud towards certain players, they can take it the wrong way.

"He always says his piece but he conducts himself in a way that us, as players, listen to and it's showing on the pitch."

Despite the setback of a 1-0 home defeat by Northampton on Saturday, Hunt believes one more win should guarantee League Two survival for Stanley.

"I think we need three more points to get safe," he added. "We've got two games at home and three away, but we're playing teams around us. Apart from Saturday, we generally like doing that."