Rob Smith: AFC Telford are upsetting the odds

Despite arriving in North Yorkshire on the back of a three game unbeaten run, the odds were heavily stacked against Smith's charges.

The hosts had their eyes firmly set on cementing their play-off spot.

But substitute Mike Grogan - who has had to settle for a place on the bench for much of the season - proved an unlikely hero, heading in on the stroke of half-time.

Smith said: "Nobody gave us a chance here today and I know that for a fact. We fancied ourselves.

"We spoke about it and really worked on a plan and I thought that we deserved it.

"I think falling apart is a bit strong, they had 20 minutes where they were on top but this is a good Harrogate side full of quality and they caused us a few problems, which they were always going to."

The Bucks rode an early storm from Town, by which time the visitors could have conceivably been 5-0 down by the half hour mark.

But they also had shot-stopper James Montgomery to thanks for a number of first class saves.

Smith said: "We thought they would come out firing, they blow teams away early on and we wanted to stay in the game.

"We knew that if we stayed in the game then we'd fancy ourselves to score as we've always said.

"Defensively all-round, with Grogan and Curtis - Curtis is getting better and better but Groges came in and did a great job for us.

"Harrogate almost play a 4-2-4, they all push on and are very attack-minded. They can press you back, they did that especially first-half down the slope.

"We did want to play high because we fancied getting another goal on the break and I think that maybe we should've done.

"But if there's any question of commitment or anything in there - I wish I'd have had this bunch at the start of the season."