Pictures and analysis of Hereford 1 AFC Telford 1

Having been on the receiving end of too many late equalisers in recent months, Gerard Kinsella reminded AFC Telford United fans how it feels to be on the other side of that scenario.

Last night's 1-1 draw against Hereford United at Edgar Street was Telford's third draw in eight games, but it was a far more satisfying result than either of the others, against Stockport or Barrow.

In both of those games, Telford were the ones pegged back in stoppage time, where as this result should give everyone at the club a lift going into Saturday's crucial trip to fellow strugglers Braintree.

And, despite the late arrival of Kinsella's equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time, it was a deserved reward for a dogged team performance in a game of few chances.

As they had in their last two games in particular, Andy Sinton's side had struggled to create many chances.

But they also managed to restrict Martin Foyle's men to just a handful of scoring opportunities, before crucially producing a moment of real quality in added time.

The Bucks, who remain in the relegation zone by a single point now, made an awful start though when they fell behind inside two minutes from Marley Watkins' strike.

The midfielder sped past Ryan Valentine, who played despite a niggling groin injury, and then slotted home in the box after Jordan Rose failed to clear the ball.

It was the worst start possible and things almost got worse when Ryan Bowman charged down goalkeeper Ryan Young's kick on the edge of the box.

Fortunately, the ricochet bounced awkwardly and the forward's shot simply looped back into Young's grateful arms.

Telford were struggling to retain any meaningful possession though as the hosts poured forward and Young was again called into action when Bowman smashed a thumping 25-yard drive towards goal after 14 minutes.

At the other end, Bulls goalkeeper James Bittner fumbled a Steven Leslie cross, but the loose ball was cleared behind before Rose could pounce.

But Telford were given a major reprieve when Josh O'Keefe wriggled free inside the box only to guide the ball wide from eight yards out.

The visitors appeared galvanized by such a let-off and they rattled the woodwork with half-time approaching when James Spray's cross was deflected against the crossbar.

Jake Reid could only fire wide from the rebound and Spray then found the side netting after Leslie robbed Harry Pell on the edge of his own box.

It was a pleasing end to the first half, but Telford had struggled in recent games to maintain such form after the interval.

And it looked momentarily like another disappointing second half was on the cards when first Chris Sharp and then James Musa spurned good chances shortly after the break.

Sharp, playing against his former club, hammered inches wide from a swift counter-attack after 55 minutes before Musa was denied by Young from close range a minute later.

But Steve Jones, on his return to the team following a four-game ban, was also guilty of wastefulness at the other end midway through the half.

The Bucks' top scorer found himself clean through from Spray's through ball only for a heavy touch to gift Bittner an easy save.

It looked like being a familiar story, with Telford's lack of quality in the final third proving their downfall, especially when Valentine's ambitious chip sailed just wide of the far post with 10 minutes remaining.

And, as the clock reached the 90 minute mark, Telford had only managed one shot on target.

But Leslie found the perfect delivery, with the outside of his foot, to pick out Kinsella at the far post ensuring Telford went back to Shropshire with more than just praise to show for their performance.

Things won't improve significantly for the Bucks until they start winning and this draw now makes it 12 league games without one, but it's a step in the right direction.

By Matthew Viney