Jubilant Rob Smith hails Bucks' character

Connor McCarthy's winner, eight minutes from time, saw the Bucks snatch an unlikely three points at the Impact Stadium and climb off the bottom of National League North.

Though his side remain in the relegation zone, Smith reckons the importance and manner of the victory "should not be under-estimated" and believes his players showed the attitude required for the survival fight.

"The one thing you can't knock is the spirit, I thought we were down and out at 2-1 and yet they have defied everything again," said Smith.

"To come here against a team in such form and to get a win is a credit to the players. If staying up is decided on spirit then we are going to get there.

"We talked about being the nearly men before the game. We can put the performance in but we never seem to get the result. It looked like it would be like that again yet for once it has gone our way.

"The effort which has been put in by the players, we deserve it."

Josh Wilson continued his impressive scoring streak by netting another brace, twice equalising after Andy Thanoj and then Dan Bradley had put Alfreton ahead.

McCarthy then grabbed the winner to cap a thrilling second half, as Telford ended the hosts 13-game unbeaten run.

"Josh has given us a new dimension," added Smith. "Against a really good defence I think he occupied them and scored two great goals.

"It is a tough place to come, you can't under-estimate how big a win that is but we have to carry it on now.

Victory for Telford followed a 5-5 draw at Stalybridge on Saturday and Smith added: "The fact we are scoring so many goals is giving us a chance because we are still not keeping clean sheets.

"If we can sort that end of the pitch out I'm convinced we will score goals in every game."