Boss Rob Smith cited poor finishing as AFC Telford United’s major fault following a 3-1 defeat at “bogey team” Fleetwood Town.

The Bucks slipped to their first reverse of the Blue Square North campaign at Highbury Stadium on Saturday, their one consolation coming with an Andy Brown penalty deep into second half stoppage time.

They have now lost on all three of their trips to Fleetwood, and have also failed to beat the Lancashire side on home soil either.

“I can’t have a go at our lads, I thought they played really well, but we just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal,” said Smith.

“That place seems to be an absolute death-trap for us – we can’t seem to get anything there, no matter how well we play.

“That wasn’t a 3-1 in my opinion, I thought it was a really even game and I won’t have a go at the players for that.

“They are very much a bogey team at the minute, and you do get that in football.

“Danny Carey-Bertram had a good chance and could have put it away and Andy Brown hit the post. We’ve had chances left, right and centre but haven’t been clinical, and that’s my only criticism.”

Smith’s measured reaction was in stark contrast to his comments after Telford’s last defeat in Fleetwood back in January, when he threatened to “walk away” in frustration.

But he insists the all-new cool exterior is here to stay as he looks to try and guide the Bucks into the top flight of non-League football at the third attempt.

“We’re not going to panic this season like we might have done in the past,” he said.

“In previous years I might have been up against the wall with worry at a result like this.

“But we played well, we put in a good strong performance and we just need to make sure we bounce back with a win tomorrow (at home to Hinckley).”

By CHRIS HUDSON