FA Cup: Worcester City 0 Telford 0 - Report

The hosts, who are currently based at Bromsgrove Sporting's Victoria Ground, had much the better of the chances but were unable to take advantage.

Former Albion striker Lee Hughes was twice denied by Bucks keeper James Montgomery in an opening half dominated by the home side.

Telford improved in the second half but chances were thin on the ground, new signing Connor McCarthy coming closest when he brought a save out of Worcester keeper Ryan Boot.

McCarthy's return to Telford, on a permanent deal from Southport, was announced just an hour before the game and he came closer than anyone else to scoring for the visitors, with a low shot which Boot saved with his legs.

Montgomery was the far busier keeper however and his reflexes were required to deny Colby Bishop a last-gasp winner. The keeper had earlier twice saved from Hughes during a first-half dominated by the hosts.

After the break things were far more even as Telford snapped a two-game losing streak.

McCarthy's inclusion was one of five changes made to the starting line-up by Bucks boss Rob Smith following Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Gloucester City.

Dave Hibbert was also back in the starting line-up along with Jonathan Royle, Lucas Dawson and Jack Rea. Callum Gittings, Tom Peers and Micah Evans all dropped to the bench, with Sean Williams missing from the 18 entirely.

Worcester's form could not have been more contrasting to the visitors. Carl Heeley's men had won their last three games and in Hughes habe a player who remains a force at this level. The eight goals netted by the 40-year-old this term was equal to Telford's team total.

It was a tally he should have added to during the first half which, on another day, might have included a hat-trick.

Hughes threatened inside the opening ten minutes when he headed from Bishop's cross inches wide of the post. That was after Chekaine Steele and Bishop had already sent efforts just off target, as Telford's new-look backline made a less than convincing start.

Hughes' movement was proving too much and Montgomery was called into action when he pushed a shot wide of the post.

Telford were not without their moments and a key block was needed from Andy Gallinagh to deny Darren Campion a tap-in, after Wayne Samuels had broken away down the right.

Hurst headed a corner wide, while Campion also fired off target from distance.

But it was Worcester who looked by far the more dangerous and a superb fingertip save was required from Montgomery to tip a Hughes shot wide, after the striker had been played in by the excellent Steele.

The home side continued to ask questions early in the second half with Ebby Nelson-Addy and Bishop both shooting over.

Yet the game was by then far more even and McCarthy brought a first save of the game from Boot with a low drive which the keeper blocked with his legs.

Hughes was now a far more peripheral figure but saw another chance go begging when his shot, from Steele's pull-back, was blocked by a defender.

In the final ten minutes, Steele was denied by Montgomery while Bucks substitute Callum Gittings drove an effort just wide of the post.

Then, in the final minute of stoppage time, Colby found space on the left of the box but Montgomery stood tall to save and keep his team in the cup.

Worcester City (4-4-2): Boot, Gallinagh, Sharpe, Oji, Weir, Steele, Nelson-Addy, Jackman © (Batchelor 66), Keane, Hughes (Murphy 78), Bishop Subs not used: Olukami, Morris, Fitzpatrick, Chilekwa, Ross (gk).

AFC Telford (3-5-2): Montgomery, Hurst, Havern ©, Preston, Samuels, Rea, Royle, Dawson (Gittings 75), Campion, McCarthy (Peers 78), Hibbert (Cooke 89) Subs not used: Evans, Reynolds, Edge, Willdigg (gk).