Optimizing a sword-and-board KOBOLD fighter

[BobJoeJim]

I know it isn't an optimal combo to begin with, but I want to see a fifth level kobold build based around longsword and shield. The character would be a cohort, so would have the heroic NPC stat array. My concern is survivability. Basically, I have very strong flavor reasons why my level 7 cavalier's cohort should be a kobold fighter with a longsword and shield. My concern is that with the -4 strength and -2 con, he would be too weak to survive melee. I don't need him to be an uber-optimized killing machine, since I'm only spending one feat on him. I don't want him to be so weak he becomes a liability either, though. So please help me figure out a build for this fifth-level kobold fighter, that will be able to avoid instant death in CR 7 encounters. Thanks!

[Mojorat]

well you can actually make him a super tank pretty easy. shield focus, imp natural armor, small size that's +4 ac right there. lvl 5 he can have 27 ish. ac easily. he just won't hit hard.

[Dilvias]

Squizzle, Kobold Fighter 5
str 10 (14-4) dex 18 (15+2+1) con 10 (12-2) int 13 wis 8 cha 10
Feats: Weapon finesse, combat expertise, dodge, imp. natural armor, shield focus, improved feint
Skills: 3 ranks acrobatics, 5 ranks stealth, 5 ranks bluff, 2 ranks perception.

Squizzle doesn't do damage, he helps his friends do damage. He uses total defense (with the 3 ranks in acrobatics, that's a +6 to AC) or stealth (always a class skill for Kobolds) to get into position. He then flanks his friend's target, using aid another to grant another +2, usually while using combat expertise (that's +4 for you to hit). At 6th level, he will pick up greater feint, which means if he succeeds on a feint attempt, the target loses his dex bonus for the entire round.

With a breastplate and large shield, his AC will be 27 before enhancement bonuses or combat expertise. His biggest weakness is going to be magic, especially will saves. Fortunately he is such a minor nuisance that most enemies won't even bother targeting him.

After 6th level fighter, you may want to consider adding a level or four of rogue for the skill points and evasion.