Matt Elliott fancies Rangers chances

Assistant manager Matt Elliott has told Stafford Rangers' players they have the capabilities to upset AFC Telford in the derby game at Marston Road.

Rangers welcome their local rivals on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Hyde on Saturday that left them six points from safety in the Blue Square North but, just 10 days ago, held Telford to a goalless draw away from home.

The third-placed Bucks are still the favourites to win tonight's game and keep up the pace at the top of the league but the hosts, who are expecting their biggest home gate of the season, won the corresponding fixture last season.

However, manager Tim Flowers and No 2 Elliott will face a race against time to extend the loan of Sean Kinsella in time to play and they might still not be enough, as the Plymouth midfielder is carrying a slight knock, while Levi Reid is 50-50 with an ankle injury.

Another loanee, Northampton defender Sebastian Harris, looks to have reached the end of his time at Marston Road and could be joining league rivals Nuneaton, but returning midfielder Danny Edwards is set for a second home debut after rejoining from Chasetown last week.

Whatever team takes to the field, former Leicester and Scotland defender Elliott believes Rangers have a chance of winning the game.

He said: "Telford are certainly not the weakest side in the league, they will be stiff opposition.

"But I haven't, in the short space of time I have been involved, seen a team that has been streets ahead of us and the players have got the capability to go that level higher and get us out of the trouble we are in.

"It's the sort of game you look forward to at the start of the season, it's one you relish and we have got to take heart from the point we took there on New Year's Day.

"We must now look to do something similar or better at home."