AFC Telford bounce back to clinch win - match analysis and pictures

Take Saturday's evidence, where they got their noses in front before conceding an equaliser at the completely wrong time, then going behind after the break.

The natives don't even get restless when that happens anymore, considering the Bucks have overturned a deficit to claim points seven times in the last eight games.

The worrying statistic of handing teams a goal start seems to be off their backs as they have avoided doing that in two games, bucking the trend of the previous six matches.

The next thing boss Liam Watson will want to see is his team getting on top and staying there, for his own blood pressure as much as anything.

Consistency could well be the key as we approach the business end of the season. But, sitting in third place in the standingsdespite these flaws, it's also true that they are ticking along nicely.

This time, Telford turned the tables on 10-man Guiseley with a late goal glut in a bumpy ride for their home supporters, who are starting to get used to it.

They have witnessed a surprise 1-0 defeat to Barrow and watched Watson's side serve up an eight-goal thriller in a winning effort against Hednesford Town in January alone. It hasn't been dull.

On Saturday, the Bucks led through Mike Grogan's opener, before goals from Adam Boyes and a penalty from Gavin Rothery put the Tigers in front.

The visitors then lost substitute Danny Ellis to a red card and collapsed in quick order after another replacement, Mike Phenix, levelled.

Strikes from home debutant Shaun Whalley and captain Simon Grand ensured the three points went to the hosts.

A heavy New Bucks Head pitch made life difficult for both sides, but it was Telford who eventually got the ball out of the mud and into the net.

Matthew McGinn's cross-cum-shot in the 12th minute had nearly put the home side ahead before that, back-pedalling goalkeeper Steve Dickinson eventually making the catch with the ball drifting in.

Grogan's eighth goal of the season came on 17 minutes when he was all alone in a crowded goalmouth after McGinn's cross caused problems.

His deflected delivery fell to Tony Gray, who took goalkeeper Steve Dickinson out of the equation. The unmarked Grogan lifted the ball into an empty net.

It could have been 2-0 on 22 minutes had Adam Farrell made any sort of connection to Whalley's ball in from the right, with an open goal gaping.

Guiseley lost Danny Hall to a hamstring injury on the half hour, Ellis introduced to what would became a whirlwind afternoon for the Tigers replacement.

Four minutes later, the substitute nearly scored after diverting a loose ball goal-wards, Sean Clancy intervening to clear off the line.

But the visitors battled back and the equaliser which had looked on the cards duly came moments after goalkeeper Ryan Young had excellently parried Oli Johnson's goal-bound effort to safety.

The goal arrived in first-half stoppage time, Boyes rifling home in the box from Brooksby's corner to send the teams in all square at the break.

Telford attempted to restore their lead after the break, McGinn's delivery of the ball again a threat as he nearly caught Dickinson out directly from a corner.

They looked to be getting closer in the 64th minute when Charlie Barnett's free-kick rattled the woodwork.

It proved a false dawn as, moments later, action switched to the other end and Gusieley turned the tables on their hosts.

A penalty looked to have turned the tide in the away side's favour when Young, who had initially parried Danny Boshell's effort, felled Brooksby with his flailing arm as the ball ran loose.

Referee Matthew Bristow pointed to the spot and booked the keeper, who was then sent the wrong way as Rothery slotted low to the right of the goal in the 66th minute.

But Guiseley went a man down four minutes later when Ellis, who had already been booked for bringing down Farrell in full flight, was dismissed.

He cynically pulled down Phenix, who would make a massive impact on play as he so often does from the bench. While he would hate to admit it, he really is the Bucks' super-sub.

His fifth goal as a substitute this season was the equaliser on 75 minutes, heading home McGinn's cross from the left. He had only arrived in the wake of Guiseley's second goal.

The game was turned on its head again four minutes later, Phenix turning provider with a ball to the left that found Whalley.

The loanee still had a lot to do as he cut inside and took defenders on to move into the the centre of the penalty area before firing to Dickinson's right.

Grand wrapped up the points in the last minute, poking the ball through Dickinson's legs after the goalkeeper had spilled McGinn's cross.

And so ended another up-and-down ride for the home fans. It turned out nice in the end, as it has more times than not of late.

Is it title winning form? Probably not. Champions don't concede as many goals or make such hard work of seeing the opposition off. But it could certainly make the play-offs entertaining.

By Craig Birch