"Maybe we peaked too soon" - Telford boss keen to strike balance between pride and disappointment

The Bucks have seen their hopes of a shock back-to-back promotion fade away in recent weeks after three defeats from four games, including losses to promotion chasers Marine, Chester and Kidderminster Harriers.

However, in none of those defeats were Telford outclassed or outplayed for large periods, something Wilkin believes is worth remembering given the resources some of their opponents have been able to use this season.

“There is a crumb of comfort in the fact that there have not been many games this season where we’ve not looked competitive or capable of competing,” Wilkin said. “There’s been a lot to like about us, but equally we’re all feeling disappointed because we’ve got ourselves into a good position and really shot ourselves in the foot.

“We know we should have taken more points, not just in the last few weeks but against teams like Oxford and Leamington, and we’ve drifted out of form at the wrong time.

“A lot of teams around us seem to have found a bit of form at the right time, and maybe we peaked too soon. We would have liked to sustain what we were doing but we weren’t quite able to do so, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Things just haven’t unfolded particularly kindly for us.”