AFC Telford captain Steve Akrigg refusing to hit the panic button

Akrigg has been surprised by the club's underwhelming opening to the Vanarama Conference campaign which has seen the team amass just two points from their first six matches.

But the experienced former Southport defender endured a similarly difficult start with the Sandgrounders in the 2011/12 season.

On that occasion the team managed to turn things around after picking up just two points from their opening five games to finish an impressive seventh in the non-league's top flight.

"We had a very similar start to this season at Southport," said Akrigg. "Five games in we were on two points and that was the year we finished seventh.

"We went on a good run and picked up a lot of points so you can turn it round, but we've got to stay together as a group and the experienced lads like me, Sean Clancy and Jonathan Hedge have got to help the younger lads through this.

"As captain I have got a big role to play. But even though I'm captain I still expect the other lads to chip in with vocal encouragement because we want captains all over the pitch.

"But certainly I have got to hold that responsibility on my shoulders and encourage the young lads."

Akrigg is adamant Telford are good enough to compete in the Vanarama Conference. But he warned that they must learn from their mistakes quickly in an unforgiving league.

He said: "I think this squad is good enough to compete. I know what these lads are capable of. The difference is in this league if you make a mistake you get punished.

"We are learning but we have got to learn fast.

"Once you get that first win under your belt the confidence is therebut it's important that we do that as soon as possible."