Boss Andy Sinton is calling on the AFC Telford United fans to generate a positive atmosphere tomorrow – with a season-high crowd in the offing.

A special Dawley Day promotion means that at least 2,500 fans are expected for the big showdown with Blue Square Bet Premier high-fliers Gateshead – and the 2,640 that saw the 2-0 defeat at home to Luton last month could be eclipsed.

But Sinton is keen to spread the message that the Bucks need those fans behind them as they look to end a run of five games without a win.

“I would urge them to really get behind the boys,” said Sinton.

“It’s very easy for anyone to support a team when things are going well and you are on an unbeaten run of 15 or16 games and going for promotion.

“But sometimes you need support more when things aren’t going quite as you would like them to go.

“Yes, we put in a poor performance last Saturday (losing 2-0 to Ebbsfleet) but I think we rectified that on Tuesday (in a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green),” he added.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but we certainly got a reaction and I think we will be okay.”

Sinton is relishing the challenge of facing Ian Bogie’s Gateshead and is not intimidated by their status as one of the front-runners.

“They are a good side and have a lot of pace, but if we put on a performance I’m confident we can get something out of it,” he said.

“Southport showed on Tuesday that Gateshead are not invincible because they turned a two-goal deficit into a 3-2 victory.”

Leading scorer Chris Sharp is back in the frame, having shaken off the jarred ankle injury that forced him to miss Tuesday’s defeat

And striker Spencer Weir-Daley is expected to come into contention for a place after training last night.

By Chris Hudson