McIntosh expects maximum points from double-header

The Bucks have dropped ton ninth in the table following a 1-0 defeat at Rushall Olympic last Saturday, although they are just four points off a play-off spot with games in hand on some of those in the top five.

They will travel to bottom-of-the-table Skelmersdale on Saturday, with Alan Rogers’ men looking to bounce back after a 10-1 hammering at home to Ashton United on Tuesday night.

Defeat to Buxton could see the Lancashire side relegated if other results go against them, but McIntosh is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “It doesn’t matter who you play, if they’ve just had a defeat like that they’re wanting to produce a positive reaction and an improved performance.

“I know they’re struggling and have had a difficult season but we just have to concentrate on our own game.”

That game will then be followed by a home game with Frickley Athletic, another side currently occupying a slot in the relegation zone.

McIntosh added: “No game is easy, especially against sides fighting for their lives and they can often be ones where you come unstuck.

“But we have to look at these two games as a great opportunity to get six points and push ourselves back into the reckoning.

“This race for the play-offs could go to the wire so we have to ensure we’re in the mix.”

Saturday’s defeat to Rushall came courtesy of a fourth minute goal from George Bowerman, with McIntosh left disappointed by his team’s display.

He said: “We didn’t defend well enough for the goal and then didn’t ask enough questions of their defence and goalkeeper.

“It’s rare I say this but we didn’t deserve anything out of the game, even though there was very little between the two sides. The pitch was very difficult but it was the same for both sides and we didn’t adapt to it as well as they did.”

With Thursday’s transfer deadline approaching, McIntosh was able to add defender Joe Maguire to his squad this week.

Maguire joins on loan from Boston United until the end of the season, having made his name initially at Ilkeston FC before accompanying former Robins boss Kevin Wilson to Nuneaton Town.

McIntosh said: “Joe is a player I’ve admired for a long time and you know that if a manager like Kevin Wilson has signed someone two or three times that you’re dealing with a decent player.

“Not only that, but Joe has been consistently part of sides battling for promotion and he’ll be doing the same here, so I’m delighted to have brought him in.

“There are still a lot of points to play for so having as strong a side as possible will be so important, and that applies for if we end up extending our season in the play-offs.

“Consistency is crucial now as we enter the final stages. It might be that one or two sides drop out of contention if their form suffers in the next few weeks and we have to make sure we’re not one of them.”