Manager Rob Smith has warned AFC Telford United they must learn to be professional and close out victories if they are to have any chance of breaking into the Blue Square North play-offs.

The Bucks entertain Redditch tomorrow knowing they can ill-afford any slips if they are to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top five.

Smith is still irritated by Gainsborough’s last gap equaliser on Tuesday which denied his side two vital points, and has urged his team not to make the same mistakes again.

“We have to learn to see the game out and the midfield we had out there on Tuesday should have had enough experience to do that,” said the Bucks boss.

“We got massively caught out of position but we will have the same scenario in the future when we go into the closing minutes with a narrow lead.

“It may even be tomorrow and we have to make sure we are professional and not naive.”

Tomorrow’s visit of Redditch gives Telford the chance to right the wrongs of a 3-1 defeat against the same opponents in December.

“I said to the players last night, there have been two games this season where I have been embarrassed and ashamed of the performance,” Smith added.

“One was Redditch and the other was Stafford. We can’t do anything about Stafford because we don’t play them again this season but I want to put this one right.

“It’s a dangerous game because they have been picking up some really good results and have a lot of bright young players.

“But it’s one we really have to win and we have to be looking for at least seven points from the next three games against Redditch, Harrogate and Northwich.”

Striker Danny Carey-Bertram’s hamstring problem will rule him out tomorrow, leaving Smith and assistant manager Larry Chambers with the same squad which drew with Gainsborough on Tuesday.

By JAMES GARRISON