Rob Smith: Telford need a new striker

Micah Evans put the Bucks ahead in the 13th minute with only their sixth goal of the season but it was cancelled out by former Telford striker Richard Peniket six minutes later before Nathan Hotte grabbed a 59th-minute winner.

Boss Rob Smith is desperate to add some fresh firepower and revealed he is close to adding to his squad.

"It's got to be the right player and hopefully something will happen on Monday because I'm really hopeful of bringing a player in then," said the Bucks chief.

"We've been working hard to get someone in but there's no point bringing anyone in if they're not better than what we've got.

"You're going to be lumbered with a loan player who's not going to be the answer.

"But it's really difficult because anyone of any quality, we won't get them because someone else will.

"Come on - Salford signed Richie Wellens today. I don't think anyone is expecting miracles here but I want us to be in the top half of this league and I'll do everything I can to make it happen.

"But it's just not happening up there for us - it's clear to see."

Smith was without Dan Preston (illness), Jack Rea (ankle) and Dave Hibbert (knee) and the Telford manager says his squad is threadbare.

"When you're down to the bare bones at the start of September, it's a worry," he said.

"We effectively only had 14 players today - we named Ben Osei on the bench but he wasn't fit and that's where we're at.

"They (Halifax) will spend £20,000 on another player next week - that sounds like I'm moaning but I'm not.

"That's the reality of this division this year and it's shaping up to be everything we thought it would be."

Smith believes his side lost because of a lacklustre opening to the second half after being the better side in the first period when Evans also hit the bar with a header.

"What killed us was the first 15 minutes of the second half when we never really came out of the blocks," he said.

"We warned the players about it but they (Halifax) came out and the goal we conceded was scandalous really.

"He (Josh MacDonald) just waltzed through us and put a cross over and from then on in we were playing against a really strong side with experienced defenders and we didn't do enough.

"So I put it down to us because I thought we were excellent in the first half.

"We were sharp, we were in their faces and we scored off something we'd worked on which was the most pleasing thing of the day.

"We were bright and we defended well and we did well against Tom Denton.

"Then for 15 minutes we switched off and you get punished in this league.

"I'd call us soft at the moment - we're a bit of an easy touch.

"There's no panic from us but as a group, we're better than that so it's a bit frustrating.

"If we were getting beat three or four nil we could hold our hands up but in every game we could argue a case for maybe having a bit more."

Meanwhile, Hibbert has a chance of being fit for Tuesday's home derby against Kidderminster Harriers but Preston and Rea look like missing out.

"There's an outside chance Dave might be fit, I think Jack is very doubtful with his ankle and I'd imagine he's got a chance for Saturday and Dan is still weak so we'll have to see how he goes over the next 24, 48 hours," said Smith.

"I'd be hopeful he'll be in the squad but we need a bit more."