Blog: AFC Telford just need to maintain their form

ROB HUGHES: Get in there! The gaffer said we just need to be professional and do our job, other results will take care of themselves - and that is exactly what seems to be happening today.

We stretched our lead back to three points at the top of the Blue Square Bet North, with another fine rearguard action shutting out the opposition and pinching the points.

In fairness, we had the chances to win 3 or 4-0, but failed to trouble the keeper as frequently as we perhaps should, due to some wayward finishing, defiant goalkeeping and dogged defending.

The flipside to that still remains that we are capable of creating these chances. Our forwards really do need to be that bit more clinical in front of goal.

Proudlock was looking lively, prior to coming off injured, but the impact of Meechan was instantly recognisable. His infectious chasing and harrying giving the Celtic defenders very little rest from the moment he was introduced.

In fact his pressure in the corner led to us winning the throw-in while in an advanced position that cumulated in the only goal of the game.

I feel compelled to point out the enormous change of Greg Mills in recent weeks. His ability on the ball has never really been in question, but just recently he has developed an edge, a hunger without the ball, he is tracking back, putting tackles in and also picking up the ball deeper, posing problems right down the flank! Keep it up Millsy!

The introduction of Sam Gwynne from the bench with 15 minutes left came at just the right time, his eagerness to impress was apparent — a different type of player to Trainer, who didn't have a bad game, but is the type of player who was able to lift the whole team and see us over the finish line.

Defensively we were solid again, at times we backed off too much, but lots of Stalybridge's play was in front of us and they struggled to penetrate us, we seem to have a very compact, well disciplined side that has the quality to deliver.

Now we just have to keep our bottle, and ensure we go away to Harrogate tomorrow and add three more points to our tally. By then Alfreton will have hosted Solihull Moors.

We've got eight games left that we can influence. Let's keep on applying the pressure.

Up the Bucks!