Boss Rob Smith believes AFC Telford United can still win the Blue Square North title – but admits their latest setback has made the task far tougher.

The Bucks are now 11 points adrift of leaders Gateshead, albeit with four games in hand, after being held to a 1-1 draw by King’s Lynn at the New Bucks Head.

They only salvaged a point thanks to an injury-time equaliser by Danny Carey-Bertram, but that offered little comfort for their exasperated manager.

“A point’s as bad as a defeat to me – that was a game we had to win if we’re serious about being up there,” said Smith.

“That’s a massive blow for us. Gateshead and Tamworth both won and to be 11 points behind at this stage of the season makes it very tough.

“We’re definitely not out of it and there’s doubtless plenty more twists and turns ahead, but this was one of the games you would have said was a must-win. We blew it so it’s a hard task now with all the fixtures we’ve got, but we’ll keep on fighting.”

Smith was at a loss to explain a lethargic display by his team, especially against a limited King’s Lynn outfit.

Telford struggled to create chances throughout the afternoon and had looked destined for a shock defeat when falling behind on 82 minutes, before saving some face with the last gasp leveller.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful but I thought they were the worst side that’s come down here all year, and yet I don’t think we had a shot in anger where the keeper had to make a save,” added Smith.

“We’re mentally and physically tired at the moment but that was the easy bit – we’ve got a horrendous time coming up (in terms of fixture congestion) so that was two points thrown away.

“We didn’t do enough to deserve to win.”