Mike Grogan insists AFC Telford are unfazed

But AFC Telford United midfielder Mike Grogan insists the rejuvenated Bucks can strike fear into Adrian Pennock's promotion contenders tonight.

After a disastrous start which saw Liam Watson's side endure an 11-game winless run, they have steadied the ship with a respectable haul of four points from the last nine.

And Grogan said: "If Forest Green are more fancied, they are more fancied but we are playing well as well so we are fancying ourselves.

"I'd put us up against anyone and say we'd give them a game, with the way we have been playing in the last couple of matches.

"We are starting to play with a bit more confidence and I thought we were well worth the point we got against Kidderminster on Saturday. When you look at the whole game we could have come out with all three points."

The Bucks failed to build on their morale-boosting first league win of the season at home to Torquay on September 27 as they went down 2-1 at home to Chester last mid-week.

But the performance was nonetheless a decent one, and Saturday's 1-1 draw at Aggborough, which saw the Bucks overcome injuries to defenders Rod McDonald (ankle) and Steve Akrigg (hamstring), produced yet more encouraging signs.

But Grogan insists that Telford, who remain bottom of the division and seven points from safety, are far from satisfied with their recent results.

He said: "I wouldn't say it was solid form because we won the Torquay game but we felt we could have got three points from the Chester game as well.

"We played a lot better than we have been and we got a point on Saturday when we could have got three so there's nine points that were there for the taking and we have got four.

"We are not happy with that really and we want be getting points and getting up the table because we don't believe that position is where we should be.

"We think we are a lot better than where we are. It has taken us the first third of the season to get into our flow but once we are in it we will give any team a game in this league.

"Torquay were on a six-game winning streak when we beat them so I don't think we are scared of anyone."

It is a good mindset to adopt as Forest Green, currently eighth, will arrive at the New Bucks Head having lost just one of their last six.

That run includes wins against second-placed Halifax and third-placed Torquay as well as struggling Dartford and respectable draws against mid-table Eastleigh and Macclesfield.

And with Telford likely to be missing skipper Akrigg tonight, they will need to show more of the same resilience that has seen them turn the corner in recent weeks.

The Shropshire side also overcame a sickness bug which ruled out joint-top scorer Mike Phenix at the weekend. He should return this evening.

And Grogan said: "No one is complaining (about the situation we are in). We are all getting on with it and I am feeling positive about what's going on now.

"I felt sick last week. It was just a little bug that went round but we managed it well.

"Everyone stepped up. The likes of Sean Cooke, who hasn't been playing much, came in and started, and was brilliant on Saturday.

"Charlie Barnett hasn't been starting many either but he came in too and put the work in and he was great as well."

Grogan had to show his adaptability by dropping to centre-half when Akrigg went off early in the second-half at Aggborough. He may be required to reprise the role tonight because of injuries.