Boss Rob Smith believes AFC Telford United’s beleaguered players remain behind him after their latest Blue Square North battering, but insisted: “We can’t go on like this.”

Telford turned in a dire display going down 3-1 away at Redditch’s Valley Stadium last night, Andy Brown’s late consolation rather flattering the visitors.

Redditch, skippered by former Buck Asa Charlton, were full value for the three points and Smith was in no mood for making excuses.

The result left his much-fancied side marooned in ninth place, and five points adrift of the play-off places.

“Believe it or not, I still believe the players want to play for me,” said the Telford manager.

“I asked them face-to-face last night whether a change would be better, but they seem to think that’s the last thing they want.

“But we can’t take performances like that. I just want what’s best for the club – I signed every one of those players in there, so the buck stops with me.”

Around 150 Telford fans made the journey to Worcestershire, and the Telford chief was quick to issue a public apology for the abject performance.

“I feel more embarrassed and humiliated than I have in my whole career,” he said.

“Pound for pound our players are better than the Redditch players, but there’s a lot of togetherness in their team and they showed that – we didn’t show any togetherness.

“I feel so sorry for the supporters – they were entitled to have a go at me and they were right to do so.

“That was woeful and I know people have come a long way. They didn’t deserve that, and I apologise to the supporters for that performance.”

Smith kept his players in the dressing room for almost an hour after the game, though he insisted their analysis session was no shouting match.

“Just as we felt we’d turned the corner (after a run of three games unbeaten), that was a real kick in the teeth,” he added.

“We had a long, long, long chat about it and a lot of players have held their hands up.

“There was no ranting and raving, it was a discussion and it was definitely beneficial. A lot of positives came out of it.”