AFC Telford managers Larry Chambers and Rob Smith watch the defeat unfold

Boss Rob Smith bemoaned “soft targets” AFC Telford United – and is calling for a sustained winning run to keep their season alive.

The Bucks were thrashed 4-0 at Blyth Spartans on Saturday, falling to their ninth away defeat of the Blue Square North season.

They remain one point off the play-offs with five home games in their next six to come, but Smith saw precious few positives from their trip to Croft Park.

“It’s been the story of our season – we’ve gone on the road and been soft targets everywhere we’ve gone,” he said.

“I’m sick of going home on the coach after a defeat. At the end of the day though, it stops with me. I signed the players and I’ll take the blame.

“We’ve won a few games recently, but as far as I’m concerned we’ve beaten poor teams so I don’t think we’ve progressed at all.

“We’ve got to try and keep our season alive now – and to do that we have to win (against Farsley Celtic) tomorrow night,” he added. “We need a few wins on the bounce, but we’re not throwing in the towel.”

One word dominated Smith’s post-match summary as he reflected on a heavy defeat for his side at Blyth.

“The players should be embarrassed for themselves, embarrassed for myself and Larry (Chambers, the assistant manager) and embarrassed for the supporters who paid their hard-earned cash to come up to Blyth,” he fumed.

“It was an embarrassing performance and I’m really embarrassed by that. It was shocking and a humiliation.”

The afternoon ended on another low note for Telford, with substitute Sean Evans sent off after appearing to try and stamp on Blyth’s Stephen Turnbull.

“It was stupid,” said Smith. “Sean said he didn’t make contact, but it was right in front of me and it was a stamp. I can’t defend him on that.”

By CHRIS HUDSON