Rob Smith happy with AFC Telford's point

A first-half penalty save from James Montgomery and numerous saves in the dying moments earned the Bucks their point, as Brackley dropped into the bottom three.

The result keeps survival in Telford's own hands ahead of the visit of Worcester City and final day at Chorley.

Smith said: "We wanted to win the game and put it to bed but the main thing was not to lose that game of football.

"That would have been a catastrophe for us. We're coming away in the same situation that we came in (other than Lowestoft's win).

"There's only two games left and it's in our own hands.

"It's about keeping your nerve and preparing right for Saturday. Getting the players prepared and one big performance and we are capable for it."

Smith bemoaned the lack of quality from his side, who have now gone four National League North games without victory or scoring a goal.

They had first-half chances through the returning Izak Reid and Dave Hibbert, but it was the hosts that looked like grabbing a winner late on.

"Our quality wasn't there again and that's why we didn't create a lot of chances. We huffed and puffed a little bit but over the 90 minutes we were worthy of a draw," he said.

"Izak had a couple of chances in the first-half, if you take those, we're a different team when we go in front.

"All of a sudden we're struggling for goals again but this is just about results now.

"It doesn't matter how we get it."

The boss praised Hibbert, who is still plagued by a knee injury that has haunted his debut season at Telford.

He also explained skipper Jack Rea's withdrawal at the break, which saw Mike Grogan pushed forward.

Smith added: "I thought Hibbo has gone through a brick wall. He's struggling with his knee, he's been telling me he wants to play and he's had an injection.

"You can't ask any more than that.

"Groges had a decent game, obviously he's banned on Saturday (Worcester). Jack has been sick all day and he was in a right state before the game and had no energy."