Shropshire Star

Rob Smith is aiming to end on a Telford high

Rob Smith takes AFC Telford United into their final game of the season tomorrow at Chorley hoping a relaxed approach will see them sign off on a high and reach 50 points.

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The Bucks clinched safety when they beat Worcester City 2-0 and Brackley were held to a late 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton.

Boss Smith admits achieving National League North survival after spending most of the season bottom of the table has been a huge lift and will see a less stressful approach to tomorrow's trip up the M6.

"Absolutely we're going to relax," said the boss. "There was every chance we'd have been going into this game needing something to stay up – that was even the case with 15 minutes to go last Saturday.

"The fact we don't is massive, so of course we're going to relax. It's probably the first time in a long while that we can relax for a game of football at Telford.

"But it doesn't mean we don't want to win, it's just to go into a game with no pressure is massive.

"I'm hoping it will have a positive effect – we're in a good place, we're happy and I'd like to say we're so relaxed we can put on a performance and win a game at a difficult place to go.

Telford clinched safety after winning seven and drawing three out of 13 since February 9 and Smith wants the run to continue.

"We're on a good run," said Smith, whose side could finish as high as 14th. "We've only lost two in 11 and like any game, it's one I want to win.

"The battle we'd have had if we'd have had to win this game would have been a nightmare.

"As it is we can get to 50 points which would be an unbelievable achievement for this group of players.

"If we don't get it, it doesn't matter but what does matter is to remain professional to the end because we'll have a lot of supporters travelling there and they will expect us to put on a show, which we will."

Telford welcome back Mike Grogan from suspension but fellow midfielder Sean Clancy is unavailable due to a prior-arranged coaching commitment in Dubai.

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