We're not bad enough to go down, says AFC Telford boss Smith

Saturday's win was just the Bucks' second of the season and with them still bottom of National League North, the manager acknowledges there is plenty of work left to be done.

But he has been encouraged by recent performances and believes two more home games, against Boston United on Saturday and Alfreton the following weekend, gives them a good opportunity to build.

"We set ourselves a little mini-target for those three games and it is important we get there," he said.

"I just said to them it is a step – a small step, that is all it is. But we can't go down playing like that, not only playing like that but playing the way we are.

"We are not bad enough to go down.

"I'm not stupid – the team is not good enough for what we want to achieve.

"I need a bit of magic and a bit of spark and I will be working hard to get it."

Smith, who returned to the club with assistant Larry Chambers in August, remains determined to improve the quality of his playing squad despite numerous obstacles – including falling off-field investment.

He has described the past two weeks as the toughest he has experienced in football, but believes he is stronger for the experience.

"I could write a book in the month I have been here," said Smith. "Players going out, conversations with them, conversations with the clubs that want them, or don't want them. as the case might be.

"Players want to come in and trying to negotiate with them and agents it has been a full-time job.

"It doesn't help being bottom of the league. It has been funny in some ways. I think I am going to write that book."

Telford's league game at FC United of Manchester has been switched from this weekend, when United play in the FA Cup at Sporting Khalsa, to Tuesday, November 3.

The fixture was scheduled to be played this weekend but, with FC United in FA Cup action at Sporting Khalsa, a new date had to be found.