Bradford Park Avenue 1 AFC Telford United 2 - Report and pictures
AFC Telford United weren't suffering from any FA Trophy hangovers as they picked up one of their most impressive away wins of the season in West Yorkshire.
Bradford Park Avenue went into the game four places above the Bucks and as one of the division's in form sides having not lost since January.
But the Bucks sealed the three points thanks to four deadly second half minutes.
After a stalemate first period, the Bucks raced into an early two goal lead in the second half as James McQuilkin curled home, before Daniel Udoh bundled the ball in four minutes later.
The lead was slashed in two by Conor Branson 15 minutes from time, but the Bucks soaked up late pressure to give themselves a vital win and put a four point buffer between themselves and Kidderminster Harriers in eighth.
The win sees them rise to sixth in the table, and now they are sitting in a very healthy position with a game in hand over most sides around them in the play off mix.
Gavin Cowan opted to make two changes to the side that fell out of the FA Trophy, with experienced defender Theo Streete given a much needed rest in defence.
Dom Smith, recently recalled from a loan spell stepped into the back three, with Amari Morgan-Smith rested in place of Marcus Dinanga up front.
The Bucks had to soak up some pressure against a side who sit three places above them in the National League North table.
Branson had an early effort blocked, with Andy Wycherley called into action after just eight minutes to tip over an Oli Johnson effort.
Down the other end set piece specialist Brendon Daniels curled a free kick wide of the mark, but it was the hosts who looked more sharp and confident in the opening exchanges.
As the half wore on it was entertaining for the supporters, without their being too much in the way of clear cut chances.
The Bucks first half chance came after 25 minutes, as Udoh found strike partner Dinanga, who cut inside and fired a left footed shot wide of the mark.
Udoh himself then fired wide just moments later, with the Bucks settling into the game.
For the whole of the first half the Telford backline kept Avenue at bay, something that not many sides have done so far this season.
After an even first period on the balance of play, the Bucks fired out of the traps and raced into a two goal advantage inside the first 15 minutes.
On 57 minutes McQuilkin picked up the ball on the edge of the box from Udoh, and curled the ball into the corner of the net beyond keeper Charlie Andrew.
The Bucks could smell blood and after Andrew had spilled a Daniels effort, super striker Udoh poked the Bucks further ahead.
Daniels' corner caused mayhem in the box and liked all good strikers, Udoh reacted the quickest to get the all important final touch.
Cowan's men had caught Avenue cold, and looked as if they could go and grab a third.
Avenue did try and get back in the game immediately but to no avail as the Bucks took firm.
With 15 minutes to go though and with the Bucks looking to manage the game out, Avenue got a goal to set up an interesting finish.
A corner was bundled in by Branson in the six yard box to slash the Bucks lead in half.
Just minutes later the Bucks almost restored their two goal cushion, as Daniels' free kick was fumbled by the keeper but the danger was smothered by the home defence.
The Bucks were made to soak up late pressure as Avenue went in search of a late leveller.
Lewis Knight slung in a few dangerous long throws that Telford's back line were able to deal with, and they saw out the game to pick up a vital three points in the race for the play-offs.
KEY MOMENTS
57 - BUCKS LEAD - The Bucks have fired out of the traps in the second half and get themselves ahead. Udoh finds McQuilkin, and the midfielder sets himself and curls a superb effort into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.
61 - ITS TWO! - And it's two! Daniels' corner causes all sorts of problems. The ball bounces around and Udoh gets the vital touch to poke the ball home.
75 - ONE BACK FOR AVENUE - A corner for Avenue sees Branson bundle the ball home. Game on again.
TEAMS
Bradford Park Avenue - Andrew, Toulson (Crichlow-Noble 66), Lowe (Nowakowksi 78), Hurst (Clee 66), Ross, Havern, Knight, Branson, Beesley, Johnson, Spencer
Subs not used - East,
AFC Telford United (3-5-2) - Wycherley, White, Sutton, Smith, Royle, Deeney, Barnett, Daniels (Streete 87), McQuilkin, Udoh (Brown 90), Dinanga (Morgan-Smith 76)
Subs not used - Ellis, Dawson
Referee - Dean Watson
Attendance - 384
