Andy Sinton feels experience is key for AFC Telford survival

Boss Andy Sinton has called on his experienced players to step up to the plate as AFC Telford United head into a crucial period in their survival quest.

The Bucks face a make-or-break spell against teams in the bottom half of the Blue Square Bet Premier, starting tomorrow at struggling Kettering Town.

"Experience can be really key and crucial and there's plenty in our dressing room," said Sinton.

• Watch highlights of Telford's loss to Fleetwood

"We need to draw on that. The younger ones need the older ones and the older ones need the younger ones.

"We're all in this together, that's part of being in a team.

"We now go into a run of games which will shape where we're playing next year."

United have plenty of experience to call upon in their battle for safety, including goalkeeper Ryan Young and defender Chris Blackburn. Sinton added: "The goalkeeper is experienced, I think he's had a really good season. Blackburn has led by example recently.

"Ryan Valentine is vastly experienced but in the heat of the battle two weeks ago he let us down because he lost his head (against Alfreton).

"At this stage of the season you need fire in your belly but you need ice running through your head."

• See pictures from the weekend's match

Sinton has options at left-back for tomorrow's trip to Nene Park.

Former Oxford United man Steve Kinniburgh made his debut in Saturday's 4-1 home defeat against Fleetwood Town after agreeing non-contract terms with the club.

Sinton also has Valentine available and Shane Killock has played there before. Sinton was satisfied with 22-year-old Kinniburgh's first appearance.

He said: "It was always going to be difficult as Steve hasn't played for two or three weeks.

"We were 2-0 down after 15 minutes – try making a debut in that.

"But I thought he did really well in the second half. Whether he stays in is another matter."

The Bucks boss was satisfied with his side's display despite being beaten by the leaders.

"We asked the players to have a go and they did that," Sinton said.

"There were some good individual performances and 4-1 is a tad harsh. Two goals in the last six minutes gives it a slightly distorted scoreline."

Sean Newton's back strain will be assessed today.