Bucks boss Rob Smith

Defiant boss Rob Smith insists AFC Telford United can still make the Blue Square North play-offs – if they put a stunning winning win together.

The Bucks have left themselves with a mountain to climb, and went into today’s game in ninth place and seven points adrift of the top five.

But Smith is refusing to throw the towel in, with Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Vauxhall Motors having done much to improve morale at the New Bucks Head.

“If we were to win five on the trot we’d be in the play-off places,” he said.

“It’s been a strange old season, but we are where we are and I still believe we are capable of doing it.”

“Stalybridge are having a wobble at the minute and others will as well, so we have to take advantage.”

Meanwhile, assistant manager Larry Chambers is hoping midfielder Kevin O’Connor can make an impact between now and the end of the season.

The former Wolves man had retired through injury but is trying to revive his career in the non-League game with the Bucks.

“Kevin’s got to the stage now where has got a taste for football again and he wants to be playing more than he is at the minute,” said Chambers.

“The difficulty for us is that he’s not quite ready to start games and we’ve not really been in a position recently where we’ve been able to give him as much time on the pitch as we would like.

“It’s a Catch 22 situation, really. It’s difficult to put him in the starting line-up when he hasn’t played a lot of football.

“We’ve spoken to him about, and it’s not an issue for now, he’s continuing to train with us and he’s enjoying being a part of the squad and the banter.”

l Telford have appointed supporter Steve Humbles as their new press officer in a voluntary capacity.