Bradford PA 1 Telford 0 - Report and pictures

Chib Chilaka's 61st minute strike, from a Danny Schofield cut-back, proved decisive at the Horsfall Stadium.

And the home side were worthy winners following a very disjointed display by the Bucks.

Manager Rob Smith was forced into one change from the side that beat Brackley 2-0 on Bank Holiday Monday.

Wideman Izak Reid was ruled out of action, after badly slashing his finger while at work as an electrician.

The large, deep cut went, in the player's own words, 'down to the bone' and he was advised to sit out Saturday's game for risk of bursting his stitches.

Greg Wilkinson came into midfield in his place while defender Curtis Tilt was handed his debut at the expense of Mark Lees, who moved to the bench.

The home side started the day bottom of the National League North, but they made the far brighter start.

New signing Jason St Juste drew a fine early save from Bucks' goalkeeper James Montgomery following a superb cross-field pass by Luke Dean after just four minutes.

At the other end, Jordan Goddard failed to beat Jon Stewart with a low drive of his own and Danny Glover also failed to extend the home goalkeeper, with a snapshot on 19 minutes.

But Chilaka should have put the hosts ahead two minutes later, after wriggling his way into an inviting position in the area.

His initial strike was blocked by Tilt and he then pulled the follow-up effort wide of goal.

Bradford skipper Simon Ainge then missed an even better chance to score when he fired straight at Montgomery from close range, following a corner-kick on 30 minutes.

Dean tried an ambitious effort to beat Montgomery from 25 yards out two minutes before the break, but the goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

Smith understandably made a change at the break with Lees replacing Wilkinson.

The substitute was brought on in a holding midfield role to provide more protection for the back four.

He had an impact and Telford improved for a time soon after the break, with Glover striking the cross bar from a 25-yard free-kick on 49 minutes.

But Chilaka should have scored when St Juste cut the ball back in the box five minutes later, only to miscue his finish.

He made no mistake on 61 minutes, though, when he turned and fired low into the far corner of the net.

Craig King should have doubled the home side's advantage soon afterwards, but could only head straight at Montgomery from St Juste's superb cross.

At the other end, Clancy shot just over from distance and Hibbert drew a solid save from Stewart.

But Dean rattled the post for the home side from a 20-yard drive with nine minutes remaining.

Telford finished the game with 10 men because of a shoulder injury to Darren Campion late on and Avenue navigated six minutes of injury time in comfort to hand Telford a sixth defeat in eight games.