Boss Rob Smith is backing AFC Telford United to emerge from their miserable March and finish the season on a promotion high.

The Bucks have lost three consecutive games this month to leave their Blue Square title ambitions in tatters and their FA Trophy Wembley dream hanging by a thread.

They travel to York for the semi-final second leg on Saturday looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit – and are again restricted by injuries and cup-tied players.

But Smith believes they will have several players fresh for the league run-in and ready to hit top form.

“I’m fed up with going into league games with one fit striker and it’s tearing our season apart,” he said.

“We’re all disappointed with the way we’ve fallen away in March – we haven’t won a game yet this month.

“But I’m staying positive and I still maintain we can get in the play-offs and, if we do, I think we can beat anybody we come up against.”

Smith is still pondering whether to start with Andy Brown (Achilles) up front on Saturday, or put the striker on the bench to save him for Monday night’s league clash at Hinckley.

That decision could rest on the condition of leading scorer Danny Carey-Bertram, who is still recuperating from a hamstring strain.

“Hopefully Danny will be available for York and, if he gets through it, then there’s no reason why he couldn’t play on Monday, too,” Smith added.

“It’s a worry though, because it’s his hamstring. It will only be 11 days since he did it on Saturday and they usually take a little bit longer than that.”

Smith still hopes to have a new striker on board for Monday’s clash at Hinckley, but admits the deal has taken longer than planned.

Another man missing for the Trophy showdown is Martyn Naylor – he damaged his knee ligaments making the challenge that saw him sent off in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Blyth Spartans.

By CHRIS HUDSON