Wilkin's decision is reaping rewards

AFC Telford boss Kevin Wilkin admitted he had to rein in some of his side's attacking instincts to keep things tighter at the back.

And the decision continues to reap rewards as Bucks made it three National North games unbeaten thanks to Saturday's goalless draw at Harborough Town.

The shutout also means Wilkin's men have kept clean sheets in each of their last three outings.

Addressing the observation that defensive solidity has, perhaps, come at the expense of scoring threat, Wilkin made it clear that sometimes pragmatism has to come first.

“All things considered, I’m really pleased for the boys. I think that's, what is it? 270 minutes now without conceding a goal? he said.

"We were gifting opposition too many easy moments and chances, and to have stopped that over the last three games clearly allows us an opportunity to go and try and win the game.

"Yeah, we've had to forsake some of our attacking play, and maybe we’re not quite as expansive as we perhaps came to be last season, but look, you've got to work with the players that you've got and try and find the best in them and in a system, and hopefully we are working towards that.”

Wilkin had primed his troops for a battle against newly-promoted Harborough, who have invested substantially in their squad, and who tasted defeat at home for the first time in over 12 months in a midweek loss to Hereford.

Their artificial playing surface also adds to the difficulty for visiting teams.

“Yeah, throughout it was a tough game to play in" added Wilkin.

"I'm not a big lover of 3G (artificial pitches) for match day, but that's where we find ourselves. There are a lot of them in the league, and I can't moan and groan about it and make excuses about it.

"It is what it is, and we've got to deal with it, and we've got to roll up our sleeves and adapt our game and the way we play.”