Paul McCone set to keep AFC Telford place
Boss Rob Smith believes Paul McCone is ready to keep his AFC Telford United place – and is so good he will drag the team up by the bootstraps.
The former Northern Ireland youth international made a surprise debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw against North Ferriby.
McCone had not played for several months after surgery to repair a snapped ligament in his foot playing for previous club Hednesford Town.
But the one-time Stourbridge centre-back was instrumental in a much-improved team performance, as the Bucks fully deserved their point.
And Smith believes McCone is there for keeps, as Lucas Dawson starts a three-match ban with Saturday's FA Cup trip to Kettering.
The Bucks chief said: "It was a gamble that paid off because Paul was outstanding. He drags performances out of people. He's physical, he's commanding and he talks a lot.
"He made a massive difference to us and, along with the point and the improved performance, he provided a real positive from the weekend.
"Despite not playing for so long, he's had no reaction from his injury and he'll only get stronger and stronger from now on.
"He could have played the full 90 minutes, but I only took him off because they'd had a man sent off and I decided to go for the win."
With no substitute goalkeeper as Mason Springthorpe is on loan at Northwich Victoria, Smith also added McCone would go in goal if anything happened to first-choice James Montgomery.
The Telford manager added: "It's not something I've really thought about but I'd imagine Paul could play there if he had to."
Telford take a break from their National League North struggles on Saturday as they start their cup campaign.
