Sinton not frightened of AFC Telford v Boston play-offs

AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton is refusing to be drawn into mind games with potential play-off rivals Boston United, insisting: "They don't frighten me."

The Pilgrims won 1-0 at the New Bucks Head on Saturday to suggest they could challenge Telford for second place in the final Blue Square Bet North table.

Boston's joint boss Jason Lee believes that result gives his side a psychological edge if the two sides were to meet in the play-offs next month.

"Who wants to lose to a side they could face again in a few weeks' time?" said Lee.

"Who wants to have a stinker against a side you are possibly going to have to play again?

"Sometimes players are fragile and little things niggle away at them. Their fans will remember it and their players will remember it."

But the suggestions were dismissed by Sinton, who declared: "I haven't seen too much to frighten me.

"If we have to meet them again next month over two games or in a play-off final then bring it on.

"I don't think we can play with as little end product again as we did on Saturday.

"Maybe Jason's trying to get into mind games but it doesn't wash with me — we'll take whoever we get over two games and the best team will win. There are no psychological advantages."

Sinton accepts Alfreton, who now need just five points from their last six games, are near-certainties for the title — though he drew parallels with another big sporting event to suggest he would not give up hope.

"Devon Loch was miles ahead in a National years ago and stumbled right at the end," said Sinton.

Meanwhile, the Bucks boss revealed that strikers Adam Proudlock and Alex Meechan were making rapid recoveries from injury and could come into contention for Saturday at Hinckley.

By CHRIS HUDSON