AFC Telford 3 Eastleigh 4 - Report and pictures
A Tony Gray hat-trick could not prevent managerless AFC Telford United going down by the odd goal in seven at home to Eastleigh.
Caretaker bosses Andy Pryce and Andy Todd rang the changes in the starting line-up with Gray's inclusion in the team one of four planned changes from last weekend.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge, midfielder Charlie Barnett and attacke Andy Owens also came into that number.
They replaced Freddy Hall who moved to the bench as well as injured duo Rod McDonald (knee) and Kristian Platt (hamstring).
Jordan Deacey was also set to move to the bench but a sickness bug for Josh Hancock saw him promoted back into the starting line-up at the last minute.
And he had a quick impact, providing a superb pass to Gray for Telford's eighth minute opener.
Gray still had a bit to do but he turned his marker superbly to drill home at the near post.
Defender Kyle Brownhill and Andy Owens both went close to a Telford second but ex-Bucks man Craig Stanley headed home a 19th minute leveller on the counter attack.
If that was supposed to de-rail the Bucks though it didn't and Gray restored their lead with a tremendous curling effort six minutes later.
But the Bucks trailed in level pegging at the interval after some calamatous defending allowed Jack Midson the easiest of close range tap-ins in stoppage time.
Adam Farrell twice went close to restoring Telford's lead with efforts which whistled just wide inside eight minutes of the restart.
But Telford suffered another injury blow when midfielder Godfrey Poku had to be replaced on the hour by Sean Cooke following a poor challenge by Stanley, who was booked as a result.
And it proved a turning point as James Constable then rifled the visitors in front from close range with 20 minutes left.
Again the defending left a lot to be desired and Constable doubled his tally for the day four minutes later from an unmarked position.
The same player should have completed his hat trick with 11 minutes remaining but somehow slotted wide from a one-on-one position.
But Gray headed home his third goal of the game with two minutes of normal time remaining to set up a grandstand finish.
Farrell almost levelled four minutes into additional time but his drive was blocked on the line as the visitors held on.
