Mark Cooper's rallying cry to AFC Telford fans

The newly-appointed boss is targeting maximum points from tonight's clash as his relegation-threatened side aim to snap an 18-game winless run in the Blue Square Premier.

And with Hyde currently struck on their own worrying run – they have taken just one point from their last five games – Cooper has urged Bucks fans to help make the difference by creating a partisan atmosphere.

Cooper was impressed with the support shown during his first game in charge, a 2-1 home defeat to Cambridge 10 days ago.

And he wants more of the same tonight as the Bucks enter a run of two home games in five days against bottom-half opposition Hyde and Tamworth.

Cooper said: "The players are going to need them (the fans) between now and the end of the season.

"I know it's cold and it's not cheap to watch football, but we will do everything we can to stay up and, of course, they can make a difference.

"It can work the opposite way if they get on the players' backs but, from what I have seen ofm them, they have given them their backing.

"And the more they get behind them like they did against Cambridge, the better."

Telford will start the game two points adrift in the relegation zone but Hyde arrive sitting just two places and four points ahead of the Bucks in the table, albeit with three games in hand.

And Cooper reckons the Bucks must target six points from the next two games to ignite their survival campaign.

He said: "It's two home games that we have got to be looking to win. I don't think four points would be a disaster but we are targeting six.

"If you are going to remain in this league you have got to be looking to take a decent amount of points from Hyde and Tamworth and teams like that in and around you."