Rob Smith's Telford have lost nine times in 23 league games this term

AFC Telford boss Rob Smith has told his players not to fear Blue Square North high fliers Southport at Haig Avenue.

The Bucks slipped to their ninth defeat of the season on Tuesday night, 2-0 at Stafford - and Smith needs a reaction.

"It's the toughest away game we could have after Stafford," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "We've got to try and get something from the game.

"But we're not going to be frightened of them. We have to win as many as we can and see where it takes us."

Saturday's trip to Haig Avenue sees Telford take on a Southport side second in the table, just three points adrift of leaders Fleetwood with two games in hand.

But Smith's side are only four points shy of a Blue Square North play-off place. And he is confident that his players can improve on their performance at Marston Road on Tuesday night.

"We didn't compete," he said. "We were poor from start to finish."

Striker Andy Brown has served his one-game suspension and is expected to start against the Sandgrounders.

Brown has been struggling with a rib injury, but Smith reports that he is now fully fit.

Midfielder Liam Blakeman is still rated 50/50 after injuring his ankle in training last week.

And captain Stuart Whitehead is a doubt after straining his hamstring against Stafford.

Adam Dugdale, on loan from Barrow, is expected to start.

Full match commentary of Southport v AFC Telford United on BBC Radio Shropshire DAB digital radio and online at bbc.co.uk/shropshire.

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