Chairman Lee Carter believes it is just a matter of time before one of AFC Telford United’s Blue Square North rivals go bust.

Two clubs have narrowly avoided extinction so far this season, and Chambers is sure the axe will fall once more before the end of the season as non-League football continues to struggle.

Farsley Celtic started the season in administration and with a 10-point penalty, and went into liquidation only for a rescue package to materialise at the 11th hour.

And Hyde United successfully appealed over a winding up order issued in the High Court, though they are far from out of the woods yet.

The Bucks continue to live within their means, but Carter remains concerned when he looks at the overall picture.

“I’m still expecting, at some point during the curse of the season, we’ll be twiddling our thumbs one Saturday because the team we were supposed to be playing have gone under,” he said.

“Farsley and Hyde have both come close so far, and I am sure there will be others struggling.

“From a selfish point of view, it would be bad news for us because that is one-21st of our income from gate receipts that would disappear and we would have to look at that and find creative ways of overcoming it.”

Telford were today hosting Worcester City in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, with £7,500 up for grabs for the winners.

They have already pocketed £4,500 for coming through the last round, and Carter admits that every penny counts.

“We don’t budget for any prizemoney, but we do appreciate it when it comes along,” he added.

“It would be nice to have a good run in at least one of the cup competitions, like we did last season.”

• Teenage Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Arron Jameson has completed a loan switch to AFC Telford’s Conference North rivals Harrogate Town.

• Northampton boss Ian Sampson has confirmed the appointment of former Sunderland boss Malcolm Crosby as his assistant manager.

By CHRIS HUDSON