AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan relishing last-day pressure

The Bucks will bid to extend the season and keep their promotion bid alive on what is bound to be a dramatic final afternoon of the National North campaign.

Cowan's men start the day in eighth knowing they will clinch a top-seven spot if they better the result of Bradford Park Avenue, who are away to second-placed Chorley.

They will also make the play-offs even if they lose as long as Avenue are also beaten and their loss is two goals heavier.

The Bucks could also overhaul sixth-placed Blyth with a draw and a two-goal loss for Spartans, or if Bucks win and Spartans fail to beat Southport at home.

There will be plenty of pressure on all three teams but Cowan insists it is something he will thrive on.

"I'm in there for these moments," said the New Bucks Head chief, who is coming to the end of his first season at the helm.

"I'm in there for the high stakes moments. I'm not in it for languishing in mid-table, I want to be right in the mix.

"Sometimes there's a building process but the process is infinity, there is no end to it."

The Bucks had looked well set for a play-off place a few weeks back but a run of one win in six games - of which five have been draws - has put their spot in jeopardy.

But Cowan believes sneaking in right at the death could be of benefit to his men once the play-off action gets under way.

"I suppose for the nerves it's always good to be in there and be comfortable but sometimes that can scupper momentum," he added.

"How many times have we seen it over the years where a team gets in comfortably and begin to put the safety catch on, as it were, and other teams race in there at the last minute? Maybe that will be us."

Midfielder Ellis Deeney is available after completing his three-match suspension for his red card at Chorley.