Bucks warned to keep focus

Boss Rob Smith has ordered AFC Telford United to forget their FA Cup heroics and focus on a "must-win" Blue Square North clash at home to Hucknall.

The Bucks are in buoyant mood after their 3-0 win at Northwich Victoria on Tuesday, which extended their unbeaten run to 11 games and set up a first round clash with League One side Southend.

Smith does not want that distracting from the importance of tomorrow's clash though, insisting they cannot take anything for granted.

Hucknall arrive at the New Bucks Head four points adrift at the bottom, but have recorded notable draws at the likes of Stafford Rangers and Redditch.

Telford are monitoring weather forecasts closely and have pitch covers ready with temperatures expected to drop below freezing tonight.

"I don't think there are any easy games in this league and we can't fall into the trap of thinking that, because of how we played on Tuesday, we can roll these over," Smith declared. "I said to the lads that that's the first game all season where we've had a 90-minute performance and, in 18 games, I don't think that's good enough.

"The easiest way of keeping minds on the job at hand is to make sure they know that if they don't perform they won't be in consideration (to play against Southend next week).

"It's a must-win game for us, because we need to make sure we are not losing any more ground to the teams at the top."

Defender Jimmy Turner will continue his loan spell at Bromsgrove this weekend, while striker Jarred Stevens could turn out for Rushall Olympic once again if he is not required on the Bucks bench.

Midfielder Gary Fitzpatrick has also been at Rushall but is currently out injured.

Jon Adams is close to recovery from his hamstring injury but is likely to be rested until Tuesday's Setanta Shield clash with Cambridge United.

Meanwhile, Telford's FA Cup run has seen two league games postponed and those have now been re-arranged.

The Bucks will travel to Farsley Celtic on November 18, subject to there being no replay in the Southend cup tie, and will head to Vauxhall Motors on December 2.

By CHRIS HUDSON