AFC Telford are told to start another run

The below-par Bucks were very much the bridesmaids last Saturday as their 3-0 defeat all-but saw opponents Solihull Moors crowned champions.

Montgomery has admitted his part in the goals conceded and wants to ensure last weekend's setback was a one-off after seven matches unbeaten and five consecutive clean sheets.

He said: "That's what we hope because we can't crumble again – there are four games left and we're only three points clear of the drop zone and it's very tight.

"We need to get another run going and if it starts tomorrow, then great."

Defeat to Solihull led to a few home truths in the Bucks dressing room, with Montgomery saying: "The group were buzzing, which is understandable, so Saturday was a bit of a kick in the teeth.

"A few things were said in the dressing room afterwards, but the gaffer said he understood how much we'd done in the seven games before and that we can all have a bad day at the office.

"But it's happened now and we need to bounce back."

Telford are also in action on Tuesday, when they go to relegation rivals Brackley Town in a re-arranged fixture.

Montgomery said: "We've got to give it our all in the next two games, because they're massive. We'd love to get a good result down there but Ferriby and Brackley will be tough games, because Ferriby are flying.

"Ferriby are going for the play-offs and Brackley are down there with us, so all three of us have something to play for."

Montgomery is confident third-placed Ferriby, who can all-but clinch a play-off place with a win, won't underestimate Telford after the Bucks' recent turnaround made the division sit up and take notice.

He said: "We have surprised a few teams, so I don't think they or many teams will write us off now.

"I think they will be expecting a tough game because of the matches we won, and the games where we were written off, such as Alfreton, Harrogate, Nuneaton and Tamworth and possibly Chorley, we proved otherwise."

Montgomery is also aware Ferriby will be seeking a backlash, after their own six-match unbeaten run ended in midweek.

"Ferriby got beat 2-0 at Stalybridge on Tuesday night so, like us, they're going to want to bounce back, too. We had a good game against them at our place in a 1-1 draw.

"They've got a six foot seven inch striker (Tom Denton) who's hard to deal with - I think that's why they're doing so well because he's a monster of a man who gives them an aerial threat.

"So it's tough for the centre-halves but we'll be up for the challenge."

For Montgomery, one of Telford's longest trips of the season is one he looks forward to – because it's closer to his North East roots.

He said: "It's a bit closer to home – about an hour and a half as opposed to four hours – so I've got a few family coming down to see me.

"North Ferriby and Harrogate are games I look forward to for that reason."