Gainsborough Trinity 3 Telford 1 - Report and pictures
A below par AFC Telford United fell to a 3-1 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity in the National League North.[gallery]
On a thoroughly disappointing day for the Bucks at Northolme, Josh Wilson limped off with a hamstring injury and Ben Bailey was sent off for a second bookable offence.
They fell two goals behind shortly after half-time, with Wilson pulling one back after a cross from substitute Danny Reynolds, and let in a third at the death.
Telford stuck with the same line-up that started the 1-0 win against Kidderminster Harriers at the New Bucks Head on Tuesday.
In the opening exchanges, both sides struggled in possession on a rather zippy surface, giving the ball away cheaply on far too many occasions.
The hosts had the first good chance after 10 minutes. Darnelle Bailey-King's cross found James Reid - formerly of Telford - inside the area but his effort was tipped over the crossbar by James Montgomery.
It was not clicking in the final third during the opening half-hour for Telford.
Wilson, who looked rather frustrated throughout the first period, had a speculative effort from long range saved by Gainsborough goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge - another player who had a spell with the Bucks.
The home side then had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Bailey-King, who was a menace on the right, played the ball across the face of goal but, somehow, Ashley Worsfold could not connect.
After Dwayne Samuels hit an effort wide for the Bucks from just inside the 18-yard area, Wilson was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Matthew Thornhill.
In all fairness, it was a fairly drab first half so it was not surprising to see boss Rob Smith make a change at the interval, bringing on Dave Hibbert for Callum Gittings.
Telford remained poor after the interval though and soon found themselves behind.
Worsfold's clever pass found Jordan Thewlis, who was brought down in the area by Bailey and the Bucks centre-half was booked.
Worsfold took the spot kick with Montgomery making the save, and denying a follow-up, but the ball bounced to Thewlis and he slotted home.
Telford then made another change, with Lucas Dawson replacing Jonathan Royle, before falling 2-0 down.
Bailey-King burst forward on the right and found Thewlis, who played the ball across box for the unmarked Worsfield to tap in.
Smith then made another change, bringing on Danny Reynolds for James Hurst, and it worked immediately.
After being on the pitch for less than a minute, Reynolds put a low cross into the box which was poked in at the near post by Wilson.
With the Bucks eager to get an equaliser, there was space for Gainsborough to exploit on the counter and Bailey-King's effort shaved the side netting.
Telford won a number of free-kicks, which they lofted into the box, in the closing minutes but their momentum was stalled when Wilson limped off, putting them down to 10 men.
They were then down to nine minutes later. Bailey was shown a second yellow card for another foul on Thewlis.
It was a chaotic end for the Bucks, who conceded a third just prior to the final whistle.
Substitute Reece Hands found Worsfold and he again stroked the ball home from a few yards out.
Next up for Telford is a trip to Gloucester City on Tuesday night.