Bucks manager Rob Smith has picked up the Blue Square North manager of the month award for the first time – as he prepares his side for the visit Blue Square Premier leaders Burton Albion tonight in the fourth round of the Setanta Shield (7.45pm).

See also: Watch AFC Telford thrash Hucknall

Smith won the award by a clear margin after guiding AFC Telford United through a fabulous November which saw three league wins, a fantastic home draw against League One Southend in the FA Cup before defeat in the replay and progression in the Setanta Shield and the FA Trophy.

“We’re always banging on about what a good job Rob does and this is the recognition that he deserves,” said Telford chairman Lee Carter. “We just don’t want the curse now – we wish they’d waited until the end of the season!”

Smith will hope to rubbish talk of a curse immediately against Burton – and he is anticipating another thrilling cup tie.Hardy United fans who have braved the elements to watch the previous three rounds of Shield action have been treated to 15 goals over 330 minutes of pulsating football including last month’s memorable 4-3 win over higher league Cambridge United.

Two of those games have gone to extra-time and whilst that is something United are desperate to avoid tonight with Saturday’s huge league match against Southport on the horizon, Smith expects plenty more entertainment.

“The people who haven’t gone to the Shield games this season have missed out,” he said. “It’s a massive test but we’ll do everything we can to try and enjoy it.

“At the end of the day we’ve got to look at is as better than a training session. It could be viewed as a bit of a pain with the big Southport game on the weekend.”

Burton, who boast a clutch of experienced players including former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa man Kevin Poole and ex-Shrewsbury pair John McGrath and Jody Banim, come to Shropshire brimming with confidence having taken the Conference top spot from Histon on Saturday with a 2-0 win at Eastbourne Borough.

Smith could start with the same team that thumped Hucknall Town last time out, though fit-again Jamie Vermiglio is knocking on the door and new signing Danny Edwards is cup-tied.

l Admission has been reduced to £8 adults, £5 concessions and £1 under-16s and no pitch inspection is planned despite the rain.