Just like old times for AFC Telford boss

An improved crowd of almost 1,500 fans were rewarded with only the Bucks' second win of the season with Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Stalybridge Celtic.

Smith was delighted with the response of the players and, as he prepares his side for Saturday's visit of Boston United, the Bucks boss believes the positive result was in no small part to the fans.

He said: "We put in the commitment and it felt a little bit like the old times.

"We've always said when you're winning and doing well, there's no better place to be than Telford – you can't beat that feeling of the Bucks Head.

"I felt the whole place came together and it was nice to see smiles on people's faces again. The crowd have had a tougher time than me with this run we've been on, but they came alive on Saturday.

"You could tell that the crowd are willing us to do well and I felt everyone was really behind us. And with us getting a couple of goals and the performance, it went hand in hand with that."

Smith has urged his players to repeat their battling qualities, after they stood up to an aerial bombardment from former Telford boss Liam Watson's side.

He said: "The most pleasing thing to me was the defence, because of what we had to put up with from Stalybridge. Liam Watson teams ask a lot of questions but we answered every one.

"We were without Curtis Tilt and we weren't the tallest defence, but Graham Hutchison and Paul McCone were outstanding.

"We actually played better in the two games before Saturday, but we needed the right result."

Smith has defended Mike Grogan's month-long loan to Warrington, as he bids to get match-fit after a knee injury.

He said: "If we were in mid-table we could give him a run of games but we can't do that, so it benefits everyone."