Rival boss Ian Bogie today urged AFC Telford United’s fans to stick by their manager Andy Sinton, insisting: “He’s leading you to a bright future.”

Bogie’s Gateshead side won 2-1 at the New Bucks Head on Saturday, condemning Telford to a third consecutive Blue Square Bet Premier defeat in the process.

But Bogie believes any criticism directed at Sinton is unjust – and points to his own troubles two years ago when Gateshead first came up to this level, ironically after beating the Bucks in the 2009 play-off final.

“The support at Telford is fantastic but they have to understand that when you are a part-time side – as we were in our first season in the Conference – you have to be very realistic,” said former Newcastle United and Port Vale man Bogie.

“I’d liken the gulf from the Conference North to the Conference National as the equivalent at our level to the gulf from the Championship to the Premier League.

“There seem to be a few expectations at Telford that they will just blow everybody away but that isn’t the case.

“We had to win our last game of the season when we first came up and it was only through goal difference that we ultimately stayed in the division,” he added. “The supporters at Telford have got to stick with the players and stick with the manager, who has done a fantastic job over the last year, and I am sure they have a bright future.”

Sinton refused to be downbeat as he reflected on a setback that saw his side drop to 19th in the league table, just two points and two places above the relegation zone.

“It’s not nice when a things are going against you but I’m convinced it will turn,” he said. “We’re getting punished for our mistakes but I was quite happy with our performance on Saturday.

“We just need to work as hard as we possibly can and I couldn’t fault the players for effort.”

By CHRIS HUDSON