Ian Sharps still believes in AFC Telford revival

A costly mistake from goalkeeper Freddy Hall deep into stoppage time lead to Danny Ventre scoring a comical own-goal as the Bucks lost a crucial six-pointer against Dartford 3-2.

Telford's task was made more difficult when midfielder Godfrey Poku was given his marching orders for an alleged elbow on the hour mark, but it was a late blunder that proved most costly.

Steve Kittrick's side are now back at the bottom of the table and nine points adrift of fifth-from-bottom Southport, who are just above the drop zone.

Sharps said: "The Dartford game didn't go to plan but will live to fight another day.

"In the first half we were by far the better side and should have been three or four goals to the good. But we invited pressure on ourselves in the second half, and didn't defend well.

"If we want to survive we have to be better at the back because we have shown we are good going forward.

"The important thing is that the defenders here are capable of being better and improving so all is not lost."

Sharps, who captained Shrewsbury to League One promotion three years ago, felt Telford lost the game rather than Dartford winning it.

He said: "We have conceded three really bad goals," he said. "And we have a couple of chances on each goal to rectify someone else's mistake.

"It feels like we have beaten ourselves. They haven't cut us open or created any good chances, or scored amazing goals. That's the disappointing thing.

"When we are defending set-pieces we need to engage quicker because all of a sudden we are chasing our tail and heading towards our own goal.

"The quicker you switch on, the more time you have to focus."