Analysis: AFC Telford pay penalty for nervy display

While Shrewsbury Town suffered their first loss in the league this season, AFC Telford United got their first league draw – which would have felt more like a defeat for boss Rob Edwards and his players.

Giving away a penalty is never nice – and neither is seeing the spot-kick converted.

For it to happen deep into five minutes of stoppage-time is especially cruel though.

This was a tough lesson for the Bucks. They completely dominated the first half and went in at the break with a deserved lead, thanks to Marcus Dinanga’s close-range finish.

Instead of pulling away in the second period, Southport, managed by former Bolton Wanderers and one-time England striker Kevin Davies, slowly gained momentum until Ryan Wilson was deemed to have handled in the box – after stand-in captain Jon Royle’s slip allowed the visitors to burst forward.

Nathan Lowe tucked away the spot-kick, bringing Telford’s winning run at the New Bucks Head to an end. While disappointed to be pegged back so late on, Edwards was keen to focus on the positives.

After all, they are now six games unbeaten on home soil across all competitions.

Dinanga is on 11 goals, Royle did a fine job with the armband and Henry Cowans is growing in confidence.

Like any team, there are things to work on – particularly their game management.

The Bucks were guilty of backing off too much towards the end, allowing Southport to gain a foothold and ultimately equalise.

Edwards is open to the idea of adding to his squad – and this affair showed a bit more experience may be required.

There was just one change to the Telford side which lost 3-2 at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday night as Anthony Dwyer replaced Jordan Lussey, who was left out of the squad due to a groin injury.

The hosts made a bright start to the encounter and were having the lion’s share of possession.

Jordan Murphy, Elliot Newby and Dwyer – playing in behind centre forward Dinanga – saw plenty of the ball, but just could not finish off a few fine moves.

A drop in tempo allowed the visitors, who had striker Jack Sampson limp off after half an hour, to impose themselves slightly.

The Bucks were still the better side though, and Royle almost got a rare goal – his effort from close range clipping the post.

That was a warning which Southport did not heed. They were punished after not tracking Dinanga’s run into the six-yard area.

A quick attack – just prior to half-time – saw the ball worked out wide to Newby, whose low cross was steered home by the Burton Albion loanee.

The visitors made another substitution for the start of the second period, David Morgan taking Gary Roberts’ place in the middle of the park.

It gave them a boost. They were passing the ball around quite comfortably, which was largely down to the Telford defence dropping too deep.

Southport midfielder Lowe’s attempt crept wide before they made a final throw of the dice as Kaiman Anderson, who has played for the Bucks and Shrewsbury Town, came on for Dan Cockerline.

Sensing they were under the cosh, Edwards made a switch as scorer Dinanga went off for defensive midfielder Louis McGrory.

It was a nervy display in the dying stages from the Bucks and they were punished as Lowe kept his nerve from the spot. Now their focus shifts to the FA Cup.