AFC Telford 3 Altrincham 1 - match report

Goals from Mike Grogan, Neill Byrne and Adam Farrell led the Bucks to three vital points today, despite James Walshaw's late reply for Alty.

Coupled with league leaders North Ferriby United's goalless draw at home to Stockport County, it was enough to take Liam Watson's side back to the summit by a point.

Altrincham goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was called into serious action with just six minutes on the clock, as balls rained into their box.

Telford captain Simon Grand had already headed goalkeeper Ryan Young's free kick into Coburn's hands, three minutes before he worked the Alty shot-stopper again.

Luton Town loan winger Shaun Whalley picked the skipper out at the back post and he poised himself to meet the ball on the volley, Coburn parrying the ball wide.

But there was nothing the visiting shot-stopper could do when the Bucks broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through Grogan.

Another great ball to the back post, this time from Farrell, was greatly received by the midfield enforcer for his 13th goal of the season, his low header giving Coburn no chance.

Skipper Grand proved a threat for Telford at set pieces with Whalley the provider-in-chief, this time his free kick on the right met with a looping header that dropped just over the Altrincham bar on 23.

There was a huge penalty call on 36th minute when Coburn raced out of his area to close down Whalley, who went down under the flailing hands of the goalkeeper.

All eyes turned to referee Andy Scregg who raced over and harshly booked the attacker for diving, the second match in succession he's picked up a yellow card for the same offence.

A former Telford striker replaced another for Alty in first-half stoppage time with the injured Damian Reeves going off, Kyle Perry coming on in his place.

Young finally had something to do in the 49th minute, taking a touch to get James Lawrie's free kick over the top under control.

But the strike that mattered went to the Bucks in the 51st minute when Byrne, up from the back, directed a header downwards and past Coburn from a choice Matthew McGinn free kick.

It looked like it was going to be another one of those days for Farrell when he completely missed the target in the 58th minute.

The two strikers broke on Altrincham with Owens laying the ball off to the advancing Farrell, who went for goal but his powerful effort whistled wide of the woodwork.

And you can bet your bottom dollar Farrell will be claiming his first goal in open play since a 2-2 draw at North Ferriby in January, Telford's third on the day.

The club's top scorer leathered a shot that deflected off Altrincham defender Scott Leather but didn't change the ball's direction, still beating Coburn all-ends-up.

It could have been 4-0 a minute later had Coburn not again saved Alty's bacon, pushing Whalley's effort at the far post away after he raced onto McGinn's ball over the top.

That proved the precursor to the visitors pulling one back in the 73rd minute, as Telford defensively shot themselves in the foot.

A mix-up between Grand and Young, who both failed to boot into touch, allowed Walshaw to creep in past the two and stick the ball into an empty net. It proved to no avail.