Gavin Cowan: Every AFC Telford player needs to perform

Cowan made five changes to his side, as they beat promotion rivals Spennymoor Town 2-1 at the New Bucks Head.

Goalkeeper Andy Wycherley was replaced by on loan Josef Bursik, and along with Dom Smith would have felt unlucky to be left out.

Amari Morgan-Smith is in form in front of goal, but also found himself on the bench.

Cowan said after the game that his side were not great at Nuneaton, and he has the luxury now to mix it up.

He said: "We spoke in the week and now everybody needs to be eight out of ten to stay in the team.

"A few of them were unfortunate to come out, but in the bigger picture we were not great at Nuneaton last week.

"I have recruited well so we can make them changes.

"As a centre half you must be pleased to see Marcus Dinanga going off, but then you see Amari Morgan-Smith coming on, which isn't going to give you a lift."

It was an impressive win over Spennymoor, who went into the game just one place below the Bucks.

But Cowan said it was as good as any win against any side.

He added: "Three points is three points.

"A couple of times this season I wanted us to win ugly, like Nuneaton.

"In the first half we were dominant, we began the second slowly and we have talked about that.

"We can't afford to begin slowly like that against a side against Spennymoor."

As the Bucks have risen up the table, chief Cowan has refused to look at the table or admit where his sides ambitions lie.

For the first time he has said he had a goal of the top seven at the start of the campaign, and if his side keep winning he will have to stick his neck out and admit that the play offs are the target.

He added: "I looked at the table last week.

"I think I had an internal ambition to try and get in the top seven, and some people would think that is ambitious.

"That is why I have remained distant from saying anything so far.

"There is a gap opening up now, and hopefully the lad can show even more freedom and courage.

"There is no point getting excited in January, we look at it in March and April.

"The goal was to keep away from relegation, we have the points to do that now.

"The goal now is to stay in the top half and when we have those points we will look at the play offs.

"If we keep playing like we are playing then I may have to stick my neck out."