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Stafford Rangers 1-3 AFC Telford United

AFC Telford United recovered from a lacklustre first-half performance to overturn a half-time deficit at Marston Road and notch an eighth consecutive victory in Blue Square North. The Bucks made a sluggish start to the game and fell behind in the first period to Chistian Miller's strike but an own goal by Stuart Pierpoint, an Andy Brown penalty and a well-worked strike from substitute Danny Carey-Bertram were enough to secure a crucial three points, writes Steve Humbles.

The Bucks had the first real chance of the game on 12 minutes but Terry Fearns' lob landed on the top of the crossbar after a long ball over the top had sent the striker clear. In a scrappy first-half, however, it was Stafford who drew first blood with 24 minutes on the clock when good work by Mark Magee and Jake Moult on the Rangers' left set up Christian Miller to convert from close-range. There were no notable chances in the remainder of the half although Stafford continued to look threatening against a Telford side who struggled to get out of first gear throughout the opening half.

Rob Smith demonstrated his displeasure by making two changes at half-time, introducing Danny Carey-Bertram and Jon Adams to the fold, but Stafford had a glorious chance to score a crucial second on 49 minutes. Ryan Young appealed for a foul after failing to claim a corner but referee Horton was unmoved and Jake Moult somehow lifted the ball over the crossbar from point-blank range. What had been a disappointing afternoon for Telford got even worse on 58 minutes when Lee Vaughan was stretchered off, but Smith again announced his intentions by introducing Lee Moore for the wing-back and the attacking change paid dividends when the Bucks drew level on 62. Liam Blakeman whipped in a superb cross from the right and the ball struck Rangers' defender Stuart Pierpoint in front of goal and rebounded into the net. Blakeman was caught by a defender as he made the cross but was thankfully able to continue and the midfielder proved instrumental as Telford finally began to move up the gears. The former Southport man volleyed narrowly wide from just outside the box on 67 after Moore's corner had been headed straight to him, and another superb pass by Blakeman two minutes later released Terry Fearns only for Pierpoint to clear his lobbed effort off the line. Then came the drama as former Telford player Dean Craven was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Blakeman at the back-post. Andy Brown's first spot-kick was saved by Tim Sandercombe diving to his left with the striker firing over from the rebound, but the linesman spotted that the goalkeeper had moved off his line and ordered a re-take. Much to Telford's relief, Brown made no mistake at the second attempt by scoring high to Sandercombe's left on 79 minutes. Five minutes later the outcome of the match was sealed as Brown did excellently on the left and pulled the ball back for Carey-Bertram who coolly slotted past Sandercombe to make it 3-1 to the Bucks. Jake Moult tried to respond for the Borough with a long-range strike which was comfortably saved by Ryan Young, but it was Telford who came closest to scoring again. Sandercombe made a good save to deny Fearns following another excellent pass from Blakeman on 87 minutes, and Carey-Bertram's shot in the last minute of normal time was well parried by the home goalkeeper. There were appeals for a second Bucks' penalty in injury-time after Brown appeared to be bundled over when attempting to connect with Blakeman's cross, but nothing was given and Telford were happy to settle for the 3-1 scoreline.

Both sides will now prepare to do it all again at the New Buck's Head on New Year's Day.

AFC Telford: 1. Ryan Young, 2 Lee Vaughan, 3. James Meredith, 4. Gavin Cowan (c), 5. Indy Khela, 6. Liam Blakeman, 7. Jamie Vermiglio, 8. Carl Rodgers, 9. Terry Fearns, 10. Andy Brown, 11. Danny Edwards. SUBS: 12. Steve Jagielka, 14. Lee Moore (for Vaughan 58), 15. Danny Carey-Bertram (for Edwards 45), 16. Jon Adams (for Vermiglio 45), 17. Jimmy Turner

Referee: Mr A.J.Horton (Wolverhampton)

Attendance: 1815

Pictured above: Danny Carey-Bertram celebrates his goal and below an unhappy return to action for former Telford defender Dean Craven as he concedes this penalty with a foul on Liam Blakeman.