Alfreton 0 AFC Telford 1 - Report and pictures

The on loan Burton forward lashed home after 12 minutes, and despite a couple of hairy moments, the Bucks backline stood firm and kept their counterparts at bay.

The win puts them within a point of Alfreton as the battle for survival hots up at the bottom of the National League North.

In an attempt to reverse the slide that has seen the once play-off hopefuls turn into relegation candidates, Rob Edwards rung the chances, five in total.

Amari Morgan-Smith was suspended so Dinanga and Kane Richards were recalled to lead the line in a 4-4-2.

Ross White returned to the side in place of Paul Bignot, with Jordan Lussey and Henry Cowans coming in for John McAtee and Jordan Murphy.

Going into the game at the Impact Arena, Telford were just one point and two places behind the home side, and new a win could kick start a run heading into the business end of the season.

The Bucks began on the front foot in the opening minutes, and passed up a good opportunity to test keeper Tobias Johansson after just four minutes.

Elliot Newby was taken down on the edge of the area, but a free kick routine between Ellis Deeney and Cowans ended with the latter striking the wall.

Alfreton were getting into good areas but failing to trouble the Bucks.

Richards fired in a warning shot wide on ten minutes, before the Bucks managed to get themselves a vital lead.

Usually Telford’s defensive errors have cost them this season, but this time it was the Bucks who took advantage of a mistake to find the net.

A poor header out from Lee Beevers fell to the feet of Dinanga on the edge of the box, and the on loan striker lashed the ball past goalkeeper Johannson.

The goal sparked a chant of ‘we’re winning away’ from the die hard visiting fans who made the trip to Derbyshire.

They were in full voice again two minutes later as Richards went sprawling in the box, but there was little contact and no Bucks players joined the shouts.

It took until the 25th minute for the home side to register an effort, but Brendon Daniels could only flash a half volley wide of the mark.

On the half hour mark Richards spurned a good chance, as he fired straight at the keeper after a delicious pass from Deeney cut the home defence open.

The game then turned a bit stale, as both sides were scrapping for possession and were devoid of any real quality play, which is to be expected of two sides scrapping for survival.

Tom Allan lashed a rare shot wide at the end of the half, before he stopped Dinanga tapping home at the other end following a teasing Lussey cross.

In stoppage time a low corner found its way to Ross White, but his curling effort was saved to deny Edwards’ men a two goal buffer.

Edwards needed a big start to the second period from his troops and he got that, and almost saw them double their advantage within minutes.

Dinanga pick pocketed the full back before trying to square it for an unmarked Richards, before the ball then fell to Lussey whose shot deflected behind.

Then an even better chance went astray as Richards headed over from six yards following an inviting Deeney cross.

Alfreton were yet to create a clear effort, but they did just before the hour mark and it took some heroic defending to keep them at bay.

Daniels’ corner was headed goal wards by David Shiels, and first keeper Ben Wilson got a hand to the ball before Bob Harris hooked it behind for a corner.

Former Bucks striker Chris Sharp glanced a header over, before Wilson produced a strong one handed save to deny a 35 yard rasping free kick from Daniels.

After soaking up a spell of pressure the Bucks should have put themselves on the way to a priceless victory.

Alfreton spurned possession in their own half and Lussey hung up a cross for Dinanaga, but the forward could only head against the cross bar.

It was Telford looking more likely to get the next goal as Newby fired wide, before sub John Marsden drew a save out of Johansson 15 minutes from time.

Newby again had a shot saved, and apart from a view long balls dealt with by Shane Sutton and Dom Smith, the Bucks were hardly tested in the latter stages.

Telford had a grip of the game throughout, before one of the home side’s only clear cut chances almost denied them a deserved win in stoppage time.

Daniels found substitute Ryan Jennings, but Wilson produced a strong left hand to push the effort away, and earn his side a vital victory.

The win lifts the Bucks within a point of safety, and another win against Darlington this weekend would put them right back on the survival hunt.

Teams

Alfreton Town (3-5-2) - Johansson, Allen, Beevers, Platt (Baxendale 79) Shiels, Green, Daniels, Marshall, Sharp, Bell (Westcarr 63), Keane (Jennings 51)

Subs not used - Disley,Topliss

AFC Telford United - Wilson, White, Harris, Smith, Sutton, Deeney, Lussey, Cowans, Richards (Marsden 73), Dinanga (Murphy 79), Newby (Johnson 87)

Subs not used - Singh, McAtee,

Referee - Amy Fearn

Attendance - 381