Buck up at back, says Smith

Boss Rob Smith has warned AFC Telford United's young defence that they must "grow up quickly" ahead of Saturday's tough-looking trip to Droylsden.

The Bucks ended a run of three straight defeats by thrashing Vauxhall Motors 5-1 on Tuesday night.

But Smith is not getting carried away by the result, admitting they made a number of errors at the back that could have been punished.

The Telford chief started with a back four made up of Lee Vaughan, Shane Killock, Adam Dugdale and Sean Newton - all aged 23 and under.

And he wants them to learn from their mistakes as they prepare to take on one of the Blue Square North's form teams.

"There were a lot of cracks in the performance on Tuesday which could see us getting hammered if we were to repeat them on Saturday," he said.

"We've got four young lads at the back, they are learning their trade.

"The average age is very young and they are going to be good players in the future, but they'll have to grow up quickly because we are up against a very decent side on Saturday.

"We're not going to get carried away on the back of one win, just as we don't get carried away after a defeat."

Smith went to see Droylsden in action last night as they ran up a convincing 5-2 victory at Northwich.

That result left the Bloods in sixth place, but with at least three games in hand on all the sides above them.

"It was probably the most impressive performance I've seen all season," added the Telford boss. "They were absolutely superb.

"They play the same three strikers up front and they are devastating.

"It's a challenge for us, and if we can come away with something from the game it will be a massive confidence boost - probably bigger than Tuesday."

By CHRIS HUDSON