Kyle Perry eager to avoid AFC Telford final day drama

Kyle Perry ranks his final-day Great Escape with Tamworth last season as one of the greatest days of his career.

But the loan striker would gladly sacrifice a repeat of those dramatic events for the knowledge that AFC Telford's future in the Blue Square Premier is secured before their concluding trip to Gateshead.

The Bucks head to Hayes & Yeading tomorrow attempting to steer a course away from the relegation zone they were sucked close to by Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Kettering.

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That was a night to forget for Andy Sinton's side, which has cranked up the pressure for tomorrow's long trip south.

Perry is no stranger to the heat that Telford are feeling at the moment after being in a more precarious position with Tamworth 12 months ago.

But the forward knows that, if Andy Sinton's side can battle their way to safety over the coming six weeks, the relief will be tangible.

"Last season it came down to the last day when I was at Tamworth," said the 25-year-old.

"We played against Forest Green and I think it changed three times throughout the afternoon.

"At one stage we were down, at another it was Forest Green and eventually Southport finished in the bottom four.

"We eventually won 2-1 and the scenes at the end were fantastic. People were running on the pitch and hugging each other.

"It was like we had won promotion. It was that good that we still keep in touch and talk about it now.

"But hopefully we can get safe at Telford with a few games to spare."

Perry, whose exploits at the New Bucks Head between 2004 and 2006 guaranteed his return was relished by the Telford faithful, is thriving on life back in Shropshire.

Whether he remains at Telford beyond the end of the season and his current loan deal from Lincoln remains to be seen, a fact complicated by the fact he will still have 12 months remaining on his contract at Sincil Bank.

But, for now, the 25-year-old's sole focus is on trying to guarantee Telford's spot in the top flight of non-league football, starting with a crucial day tomorrow.

"The main thing is that we keep gaining points," he added.

"We didn't do it at Kettering on Tuesday and that's made it even more important tomorrow. This is a tough division – it's like the fourth division of the Football League – and we have to work as hard as we can to stay in there. We want to put Tuesday right.

"They say you are only as good as your last game and all the lads want to rectify what happened at Kettering."

Hayes & Yeading have suffered a blow after Stevenage recalled striker Michael Thalassitis from his loan spell.

Thalassitis was due to remain with the struggling Blue Square Premier club for another month but he has been summoned back to the Lamex Stadium early.

The 19-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Boro and also had a successful loan spell at Boreham Wood earlier this season, scored three goals in five games for Hayes & Yeading.

Hayes & Yeading have bolstered their survival chances with the signings of midfielder James Mulley and striker Aiden O'Brien on loan from AFC Wimbledon and Millwall respectively, whilst United have also acquired unattached Cape Verde defender Pele following the former West Brom man's recent spell under former Bucks' boss Rob Smith at Hednesford Town.

However the club have lost the services of influential midfielder Louie Soares, who impressed in the 1-1 draw at the New Bucks Head in October.

Soares has joined Grimsby Town until the end of next season.

See also:

• AFC Telford prepare for life after Sean Newton

• Dwayne Samuels allowed to leave AFC Telford