'We can't hide' - pressure cranks up on AFC Telford United boss

A 1-0 home defeat by Bedford Town left AFC Telford United at the foot of National League North and increased the pressure on boss Kevin Wilkin.

George Moncur’s third-minute goal, after a Zak Lilly error, gave the visitors a lead to defend, and despite Wilkin’s side showing plenty of will, they came up short in terms of skill, unable to find a way past dogged visitors who also rode their luck at times.

Speaking after the game, Wilkin understood that the buck stops with him for the team’s winless streak stretching to six matches.

“Yes, it's not good enough,” he said. “We can't hide behind anything other than that we'd be expected, with the greatest respect to Bedford, to win that game.

“The fact we haven't scored, we make a dreadful error to allow them in the opening minute or two... I think we managed the ball pretty well to their final third again today, and we're comfortable in the game.

“I don't think we have any moments outside of that, but to not score off the back of so much possession isn't acceptable.”

Wilkin’s side failed to turn a greater percentage of possession and territory into presentable chances, and slumped to a fourth defeat in their opening half-dozen games, a record Wilkin knows doesn’t cut the mustard: “Again, I understand it's not acceptable to be sat here six games in without a victory, and I have to take responsibility. I brought those players to the club; they're not delivering, and I need to give them time; I need to do something about it.”

The Bucks boss has been in the game long enough to know that hard-luck stories count for little, and that if he can’t make a change, one may eventually be forced upon him: “Those moments stack up and count against you, and that's the reason we sat here without a victory, six games in. I can't pass the buck on anybody else. It's my fault. I need to get players up to that level. If I don't, we know what happens.”