Accrington Stanley manager James Beattie believes that his side have improved since narrowly avoiding relegation to the Conference Premier last season.

Beattie was speaking after Stanley had fought back to draw 2-2 with Portsmouth, and the former Southampton forward expects the League Two outfit to build upon picking up their first point of the season.

The 35-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I think that we are stronger than last season, maybe the numbers have come down but the quality has gone up.

"We need to add one or two more players and look at the loan market which is something I am working on at the moment.

"But we have a great togetherness and a team spirit and we will build on this. I felt Portsmouth were there for the taking before the game but, at the end, I have got to be happy with a point."

Beattie guided his new side to a victory over Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup in midweek.