Shropshire Star

Rob Edwards: AFC Telford players have fought hard

Rob Edwards is delighted with how his AFC Telford United players have proved themselves in high-pressure circumstances, stating: "They've really stood up and been counted."

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The Bucks are on the verge of National League North survival after winning 1-0 at Blyth Spartans on Tuesday.

They are 16th, four points clear of the drop zone, and could confirm safety as they host third bottom Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday.

"We've kept things really simple as coaching staff, but it's the players who have to go out there and do it," said Edwards when asked why his players have coped so well as of late.

"They've really stood up and been counted, fought in every single game.

"Even the games which we've lost recently, it's only been by the odd goal and against teams gunning for the play-offs – we've been right in them.

"There's been nine really consistent performances in a row, which is good.

"It's been much-needed, getting these performances at a crucial time.

"It took us a bit of time to get out of the bottom three, as it does, but we kept going. It's a process."

Edwards admits there have been times when himself and his players have got things wrong, but feels they have got most things right over the past few weeks.

"There's times we've been a bit naive and made mistakes, which happens with every team," he said.

"Lately, we've made less mistakes and we've shown some steel – and that's great.

"To keep going and keep believing, it's testament to the character of all of the players here. But it's not done yet."

Top scorer Marcus Dinanga got the goal at Croft Park.

Edwards was very pleased with most aspects of the performance, but still would have liked his charges to have shown more of a killer instinct in the second half.

"I was just disappointed a bit that we didn't get the second or third goal at Blyth, to put the game to bed," he added.

"We had some really good chances in the second period which we didn't take.

"That was the only thing, really, and then they chucked everything at us but we defended very well."