BRAD Halliday has extended his loan at Accrington Stanley until the end of the season - and he is now targeting promotion with the Reds.

The 20-year-old's initial loan spell from Middlesbrough ended after Stanley's 3-2 win at Mansfield on Saturday, but he now put pen to paper on a deal to keep him at the Wham Stadium until the end of May.

Halliday has made 11 appearances for the Reds since signing on October 20, and he is loving his time in East Lancashire.

“I am thoroughly enjoying it here,” said the full-back. “All the lads here made me feel welcome, it’s a nice family club, and there have been a few ups and downs in terms of results but it has mostly been positive.

“I started the season going out on loan at Hartlepool and then I came here and it is nice to know where I will be for the rest of the season. It would have been hard to go back to Middlesbrough and then be sent out on loan again. This has given me some security. It was similar to last season where I went on loan to York and then had it extended until the end of the season."

Halliday got his only senior career goal for York, and having failed to find the back of the net in a six game spell at Hartlepool earlier this season he is now eager to score for Stanley and help in their promotion push.

"I scored in my final game for York at Portsmouth so my aim now is to get a goal for Accrington and also to help Accrington challenge at the top end of the table," he said.

"With York it was a relegation battle but, at the top end, you get a lot more respect from teams and we have earned the right to be where we are. It is enjoyable and now the aim is to get as many wins as we can."

Stanley boss John Coleman said he was pleased to have been able to tie Halliday down until the end of the season.

"Brad has settled in really well at the club and is an asset to the team," said Coleman. "We are delighted to have him here until the end of the season and we hope he can carry on his rich vein of form."