Andy Owens striking rich for AFC Telford - match analysis and pictures

The Bucks extended their Skrill Conference North unbeaten run to eight games and stayed at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory at Stalybridge Celtic.

And it's turning out nice in the end for Owens, who arrived from Mansfield Town last summer having last played as a defender.

Having worked with the player at Southport, Telford manager Liam Watson remained convinced he had a future as an out-and-out forward. By November, some thought he was mad.

It took until Bonfire Night for the 24-year-old forward to register his first competitive goal for the Bucks, at Brackley Town, and it was another three-month wait for his next

But a strike against Stockport County last month got him going again, before he notched goals in successive home games when Bradford Park Avenue were the visitors last weekend.

A double this time, taking his season's tally to five, ensured the Bucks came home with three points from Bower Fold.

Telford again rang the changes as they changed formation to 3-5-2 –which is increasingly becoming the way they set up on the road – from 4-4-2.

It's how they set up at Worcester City last month and again here, although it only lasted a half before what is becoming home order is restored.

Defender Neill Byrne – not included in the match-day squad at home to Bradford Park Avenue last weekend – returned as one of three centre-backs, alongside captain Simon Grand and Dan Preston.

Midfielder Charlie Barnett dropped out of the 16 altogether while left-back Chris Lever was on the bench with Matthew McGinn coming in as a wing-back. Sean Clancy was preferred to Mike Phenix.

It was a sign of what was to soon come for Telford in the seventh minute when right-Wes Baynes pounced on Stalybridge defender Matthew Regan's slip to release Shaun Whalley.

The winger went for goal but could only loft the ball over the crossbar. Watson's side seized the lead just a minute later through big forward Owens, doing what he does best in the box.

McGinn's long throw was headed into the box, where Owens backed into Danny Rowe as the ball dropped and held off the Celtic defender to slot the ball under goalkeeper Daniel East.

Stalybridge right-back Kelvin Bleau saw the chance of an equaliser drop agonisingly wide of the far post with 15 minutes gone, after taking a touch to curl an effort towards goal.

Another opportunity came and went for the home side on 20 minutes when Jack Ryan couldn't find the net after rounding goalkeeper Ryan Young, put through one-on-one by Josh Green's pass.

East parried Adam Farrell's low free-kick on 24, before Preston missed a sitter a minute later when he headed wide of an empty goal as the goalkeeper was tangled up with Owens from McGinn's throw.

Stalybridge danger-man Paul Ennis tried his luck from outside of the box on 27 minutes, but his speculative effort sailed wide as Telford survived.

Five minutes before the break, striker Sean McConville could only stab the ball tamely at Young, doing well to make the space but failing to muster enough power to seriously test the goalkeeper.

Whalley didn't last until half-time, the wide-man going off two minutes before the break feeling his hamstring. Bucks super-sub Phenix came on.

Another change was made at half-time as Telford ditched the three centre-back formation for a midfielder, player-coach Alan Moogan coming on for his second successive 45 minute run-out.

The 29-year-old returned from six months out through groin surgery last month and this was his third appearance as a substitute.

But it was midfield partner Mike Grogan who went close to scoring 10 minutes into the second half, with a hammer of a shot that was dipping as it dropped over the bar.

A golden chance to pull level came and went begging for Stalybridge on 59 minutes when McConville again found himself one-on-one with Young.

Andy McWilliams' cross-field ball from left-back found Celtic's star striker but his effort was relatively tame, Young holding his shot easily.

In the 63th minute, they paid the price when McGinn's cross again found Owens in the box, to rifle home to the right of East's goal.

A second goal calmed the nerves for Telford but they didn't shut up shop, instead threatening to extend their lead further.

Grogan was left with his head in his hands a minute later when Farrell squared the ball across the box. His first touch was led heavy and the ball rolled safely into East's hands.

Mere seconds had passed when Phenix was denied by the goalkeeper, before East popped up again to brilliantly parry away a point-blank header from Owens at his near post.

Stalybridge were still huffing and puffing in search of a goal, Green firing over when he should have the target from outside of the box after connecting with Ryan Croasdale's cross.

Telford made their final change seven minutes before the end, Owens going off to warm applause from the away supporters with Tony Gray entering the fray.

Owens, in the end, made all of the difference on the day. He's had a lot of faith put in him and now it's really being repaid. More power to him.

By Craig Birch