Telford 3 Darlington 1 - Report and pictures

The Bucks took apart the Quakers in the opening 45 minutes, as Ryan Barnett fired them into a 13th minute lead, before the on loan Shrewsbury winger crossed for Amari Morgan-Smith to head home three minutes later.

And when Daniel Udoh found the net in first half stoppage time, it was all over bar the shouting.

Telford couldn’t find a fourth, and a late tap in from Harvey Saunders was nothing but a mere consolation.

Rarely has Gavin Cowan named the same side in consecutive matches this campaign.

He did on Saturday at Boston, but that didn't last for long as three came back in for this one.

One enforced change as goalkeeper Andy Wycherley's eye injury saw his re-call to the league side cut short, with on loan Josef Bursik returning.

James McQuilkin was preferred to his central midfield rival Jon Royle, with Brendon Daniels back after suspension in place of Steph Morley.

In their last two midweek home games the Bucks have raced into early leads, and they almost did exactly the same in this one.

A clearance was charged down and fell to Udoh, who shifted it past his man and lashed inches wide of the mark from a narrow angle inside two minutes.

Josef Wheatley curled a free kick over for the visitors, as the Bucks almost got caught by a few early errors.

But their midweek early goal tally came good again on 13 minutes, with a scintillating move that cut through the heart of the Quakers defence.

Starting with Theo Streete, they built down the left and the move saw Darryl Knights flick it into the path of Udoh.

12 yards out he turned his man but was denied by the keeper, however it fell to Barnett who made no mistake slotting home with a low strike.

In the last two Tuesday home games the Bucks have been guilty of rueing first half chances after taking an early advantage.

But the second presented itself three minutes later, and they took it.

Barnett turned his man down the right and hung a cross up for Morgan-Smith, who rose highest to head in off the underside of the bar for his 10th of the campaign.

The visitors, out of form in the league were having a go after falling two behind, forcing the Bucks into mistakes and trying to get on the front foot.

Stephen Thompson had Bursik flapping on 25 minutes, with Wilson Kneeshaw also looking a threat for the visitors.

Morgan-Smith flicked an effort wide at the near post, and Sutton glanced past the post as the Bucks went sniffing for the goal that would kill the game.

One minute into first half stoppage time they got it, as Udoh turned 20 yards out and saw a deflected shot cannon in off the foot of the post.

There was little go in the Darlington at the start of the second period, with Bucks looking the more likely to increase their lead.

He teed up Knights on the counter attack 30 minutes from time, with the midfielder denied before Udoh himself struck the side netting with the re-bound.

Adam Dawson was re-introduced to the Bucks faithful 20 minutes from time, and his substitution was met with a smattering of boos from the home fans behind the goal.

Darlington had pulled off some eye catching results this season, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback.

Michael Glover fired over, and Harvey Saunders drew a save from Bursik but the Quakers were pretty toothless up front.

Darlington had pulled off some eye catching results this season, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback.

Michael Glover fired over, and Saunders drew a save from Bursik but the Quakers were pretty toothless up front.

Daniels and Knights went close, before Darlington grabbed a late consolation as Saunders turned in a re-bound, after Thompson’s free kick was only parried by Bursik.

Bursik then flew through the air to deny the Darlington winger, as Telford fended off a late Quakers rally.

Another stride towards the play-offs for the Bucks, and the best part was that they didn’t even have to step out of second gear.

AFC Telford United (3-4-1-2) - Bursik, White, Sutton, Streete (Morley 58), McQuilkin, Deeney, Barnett (Dawson 67), Daniels, Knights, Morgan-Smith, Udoh (Brown 71)

Subs not used - Royle, Dinanga

Darlington (3-4-2-1) - Turner, Galbraith, Wheatley (Glover 69), Ainge, Smith, Elliott, Palmer, Saunders, Kneeshaw (Nicholson 46), Thompson

Subs not used - Maddison, Henshall, Kokolo

Referee - Sam Hulhall

Attendance - 1,052