AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan: It’s time for us all to stand up

Bucks defender Zak Lilly, who was due to fill in tomorrow in place of the suspended Lee Vaughan, tested positive for coronavirus at the beginning of the week.

But the fixture will go on ahead as planned as Lilly has been in isolation since beginning to show symptoms and testing positive.

Cowan knows his side must respond from a disappointing return of four points from five league games, including back-to-back defeats against Chester, but they face a steep challenge at home to the promotion-hunting Coasters.

“Myself and the players need to stand up and be counted now,” said Cowan, whose side have fallen to 12th in National League North.

“I’m the first to say performances have been good and we’ve had bad luck but, ultimately, that goes out the window and you’re judged on results.

“We need to get results, that’s where we’re at. We have to put things into perspective, but the reality is we have to start getting results now.

“We’re working harder than ever, the players are more focused than ever, I believe it’ll come good if you keep working hard.”

Brendon Daniels is missing for further treatment on a hamstring injury that will not go away, while Henry Cowans is not ready to return for the Bucks.

“Zak has unfortunately tested positive, first and foremost he is absolutely fine but feeling a bit of an underlying cold,” Cowan added.

“He has to stay away, but the symptoms started when he was away from the lads this week so we made a decision to keep him away. We can continue as normal but at an important time we lose Zak.”

The Bucks are expecting a decision imminently on next Tuesday’s home game against Hereford, in doubt due to positive cases in the Bulls squad.

Fylde boss and Telford legend Jim Bentley will not be in the dugout at the New Bucks Head as he continues his comeback from heart surgery.