Boss Andy Sinton has told AFC Telford United to stay positive as they head to Eastwood tomorrow looking to keep their Blue Square Bet North title challenge alive.

The Bucks are now two points behind Alfreton, who still have two games in hand, but Sinton insists the Bucks must not throw in the towel and settle for a play-off place.

Telford were held to a 0-0 draw at Harrogate on Tuesday and are now making the trip to Nottinghamshire to face an Eastwood side who have gone 10 games without defeat.

“It was disappointing the other night but we’re still 12 league games unbeaten and we’ve won eight of those,” said Sinton.

“We’re on a hell of a run ourselves and I have to give all credit to everyone at the club for that – now we just need to keep it going.

“A few weeks ago we were six points behind Alfreton and they had games in hand then.

“That gap is down to just two points now so we’ve clawed it back a bit and we’ll just look to extend our run and see where it takes us.”

Telford appear to have a tough task on their hands tomorrow against an in-form Eastwood side who have won eight of their last nine – their only draw in that run coming at the New Bucks Head last week.

Their manager Paul Cox has been named Blue Square Bet North manager of the month, while midfielder Lee Stevenson has collected the player award.

Telford will be without striker Adam Proudlock (hamstring), though the club is digging into the coffers to fund intensive treatment in a bid to get him fit within two to three weeks.

Sinton was unable to add to his squad on non-League transfer deadline day yesterday – though he has brought former Walsall midfielder Richard Davies back from Chasetown.

Ex-QPR midfielder Stefan Bailey left to join Blue Square Bet Premier club Kettering.

By Chris Hudson