Telford boss Gavin Cowan: Football was the loser

AFC Telford United fired out of the traps as Daniel Udoh grabbed his side an early lead, in a first half dominated by the Bucks.

But they failed to turn that pressure into goals, and Scott Smith levelled with the West Yorkshire sides first chance of the second period.

They had the better of the goal mouth in the second period, and could have easily taken all three points back up north.

Cowan admitted his side ran out of ideas in the second half, but he didn’t mince his words when it came to giving is views on Guiseley’s style of play under his former boss Marcus Bignot.

Cowan, who played under Bignot at Solihull Moors, said: “It was a game of two halves and I think we almost got tricked into playing the game they wanted to play.

“We were dominant in the first half, but in the second half we ran out of ideas which is unlike us.

“We usually have a plan A, B and C, but for whatever reason it didn’t happen, it was a bit of a mystery.

“They came to play one way and were successful at it.

“Essentially they came for the draw and football was the loser tonight in my opinion.

“I am surprised the way they played, I played under the gaffer and I am sure he doesn’t like playing that way.

“I said to the lads at half time, don’t let football lose because we are trying to play in a certain fashion.

“Credit to them, I’m not being disrespectful, but it must be a slog to play that way week in week out.”

Telford tried to mix it up late on in a bid to snatch a winner, but the chances didn’t come and Guiseley looked like the more likely to win it late on.

Cowan added: “We got tricked into their way, we didn’t play through the thirds.

“We went to two number tens to try and shorten things, but in the end they had the most chance.

“We’re disappointed in the draw and that shows how far we have come though, because this time last season we would have snapped your hand off for a draw at home.”