AFC Telford United have been warned the “hard work starts here” as they attempt to extend their unbeaten run to five games at Harrogate tomorrow.

The Bucks have given themselves hope of a third successive appearance in the Blue Square North play-offs after accumulating 10 points from the last 12 on offer.

But they now face a testing week on the road as they travel to Harrogate tomorrow, Northwich on Tuesday and Blyth on Saturday week.

“I think we would have expected to get the points we have done out of the last four games and we have given ourselves a chance,” said assistant manager Larry Chambers.

“But the hard work starts here and I think the next seven days could be a defining period.

“We have got three away games and I think each of them presents a different challenge.”

Telford make the trip north with Harrogate in the relegation zone, but buoyed by victories in their last two games over Gainsborough and Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday, an encounter watched by Chambers.

“Harrogate are really fighting for their lives and are playing with a bit of confidence at the moment,” he added. “They brought in four or five players just before Christmas and they feel up there that they have bedded in well.

“We are not thinking about targets for the week ahead or anything like that.

“All we are focusing on is the game at Harrogate tomorrow and then we will move on to the next one.”

Question marks remain over the availability of left back Sean Newton because of a minor hamstring niggle.

He is likely to face a pre-match fitness test, but Liam Blakeman and Danny Carey-Bertram are both available to take their place in the squad.

By JAMES GARRISON