Boss Rob Smith has challenged AFC Telford United to come through the “toughest possible start” to the Blue Square North season unbeaten.

The Bucks will open the campaign on August 8 with the visit of Blyth Spartans, who will be eager to impress in their first competitive game under new manager Mick Tait.

They follow that with two tough away trips, first to Stalybridge Celtic – and an early reunion with his old club for new signing Steve Torpey – before heading to big-spending Fleetwood Town.

Fleetwood are widely tipped to challenge for the title this year, having embarked on a huge spending spree which included splashing out £17,000 on burly Barrow centre-back Steve McNulty.

“I always find Blyth to be a tough game so that certainly won’t be an easy start,” said Smith.

“And, with two difficult away fixtures coming up straight after that, I don’t think you could ask for a much harder start.

“The aim will be to come through those three games unbeaten and that would stand us in good stead.

“It all seems a bit closer once the fixtures come out, and I’m really looking forward to it now.”

Having studied the fixtures in detail, the Bucks chief has pinpointed January as a potentially crunch month for their promotion aspirations.

Following the Christmas double-header with Stafford they have clashes with Southport Eastwood and Droylsden early in 2010 – and all are sides expected to be in and around the play-off shake-up.

Meanwhile, Smith turned the heat up on his players last night, with the first of two strenuous running sessions up the side of the Wrekin.

But he was delighted with the condition of his squad, declaring: “It’s a horrible workout but the lads knuckled down well.

“We’ll do it again tomorrow and then we’ll be getting the balls out next week.”

By CHRIS HUDSON