Boss Rob Smith has told AFC Telford United to switch back into league mode, and insisted: “Gateshead will be trickier opponents than Southend.”

The Bucks were on the verge of a famous FA Cup upset on Saturday but a late Southend goal squared the scores at 2-2 and set up a replay next Tuesday.

Smith has told his team to put that to the back of their minds however, and focus instead on Saturday’s Blue Square North clash at home to Gateshead.

The Tynesiders have scored nine goals in winning their last two league games and Smith believes his side will have to be on top of their game to compete.

“I think Gateshead will be far trickier opposition for us than Southend, as crazy as that sounds,” he declared.

“They’re the best side in the league at the moment. Their top four – the two forwards and the two wide-boys – are as good as anything about and they’re a a very decent outfit.

“They’ll cause us far more problems unless we’re right at the races.”

Cup football will be back on the agenda straight after Saturday’s game, with the Southend replay followed by a trip to Gainsborough in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

It is a punishing schedule, and one which Smith admits is playing on his mind as he looks to shuffle his small squad.

Telford are currently fifth in the Blue Square North, just six points behind leaders Tamworth, with a game in hand.

“The table looks good at the minute, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the amount of games we’re playing because I am,” he confessed.

“When you get one injury you tend to get a few on the trot and that’s my main concern.

“On the positive, it’s not just the results we’re getting but the way we’re playing too. We’ve got to make sure we maintain it and that’s the difficult thing.”

By Chris Hudson