Telford 0 Alfreton Town 0 - Report and pictures

Gavin Cowan’s men have occupied a top seven place since the opening weeks of the campaign, and as the games were ticked off and the points kept flowing it seemed as though they were nailed on for the play off lottery.

But after Blyth Spartan’s recent resurgence, and this blank against Alfreton Town the ball is back in the North East sides court.

Try as they might on a baking hot day at the New Bucks Head, Telford just couldn’t find the winner.

Henry Cowans and Marcus Dinanga had the pick of the chances and when the latter nodded wide two minutes from time, it felt like it just wouldn’t be the Bucks day.

Cowans was back into the Bucks starting line-up following an injury lay off, with the Bucks boss making three changes to the side that returned from Hereford with a point.

Jon Royle missed out with Dom Smith and Amari Morgan-Smith replacing Theo Streete and Andre Brown.

The task in hand for Telford was simple in the final two games. Two wins and the play off berth is theirs.

And if they won this one and Blyth slipped up in Manchester, then they could play without any nerves in York next week.

Telford were favourites as mid table Alfreton turned up with a side missing regulars ahead of a regional cup final in mid week.

After a scrappy opening ten minutes the first chance fell their way, and it fell to the returning Morgan-Smith.

The ball dropped kindly for the striker on the edge of the box, but he took a touch and a defender got back to block his effort.

The striker had an even better chance ten minutes later after springing the offside trap, however her could only fire over from a tight angle.

Reece Styche had been the Alfreton danger man in the opening quarter, as his dipping free kick was palmed away by Josef Bursik.

On 25 minutes the skipper Shane Sutton almost made it two in as many games, as he latched into a Morley corner and nodded it just over.

Ryan Barnett was doing his best to turn the full back dizzy in the opening hour, as he got into good areas on multiple occasions however was just over hitting his final cross.

Throughout the half the Bucks had the upper hand, the greater attacking desire but they weren’t getting the run of the ball, and looked as if they needed to go up a gear.

With Blyth leading at FC United of Manchester the team talk from Cowan at the break was simple, go and score and keep your fate in your hands.

Just seven minutes in and they had the best chance of the game to do just that.

Morley floated in a corner that found Cowans unmarked in acres of space in the box, but he couldn’t make it a scoring return and headed over.

The Bucks were huffing and puffing but with 25 minutes to go it was still goal less and the frustrating was rearing its ugly head.

Smith met a Morley corner, before then heading over a Cowans free kick with only one side looking like wanting to win the game.

For all the Telford pressure it was Alfreton who were presented with arguably the best chance of the game eight minutes from time.

Jordan Sinnott’s shot deflected into the path of James Clifton, but the advanced defender could only lift it over the bar.

Down the other end as the minutes ticked by the Bucks were building up ahead of steam, and two from time and they should have won it.

Adam Dawson’s cross found Barnett at the back post and he controlled a cross back in for Dinanga.

The striker could only head wide and the search for a winner was to head into injury time.

It went right to the final moments, and with a free kick given on the edge of the area it seemed it was written.

However Cowans stepped up and and could only fire it over the bar and as it sailed into the stand, so did a little bit of play off hope.

KEY MOMENTS

7 - CHANCE - A ball up to Udoh ends up falling for the unmarked Morgan-Smith on the edge of the box. Instead of firing it first time, he takes a touch which allows a defender to get back and block his effort.

18 - SAVE - Bursik is called into action for the first time as he has to be alert to push away Sinnott’s dipping free kick.

26 - CLOSE - A Morley set piece is met by the header of skipper Sutton, however it drops just over the bar.

52 - MASSIVE CHANCE - Morley hangs up his corner, the keeper doesn’t come and it finds Cowans unmarked. It looks like it is going to be a scoring return but he can only head over.

82 - LET OFF - Huge chance for Alfreton to go in front. Sinnott’s shot deflects into the path of the unmarked Clifton who can only scoop it over.

88 - IS THAT THE CHANCE? - Dawson swings it into the back post, Barnett controls a cross back in and Dinanga heads wide from six yards.

AFC Telford United (3-5-2) - Bursik, White, Sutton, Smith, Morley (Dawson 70), McQuilkin, Cowans, Barnett, Knights (Brown 60), Udoh, Morgan-Smith (Dinanga 75)

Subs not used - Streete, Royle,

Alfreton Town (4-4-2) - Ramsbottom, Clifton, Wilde, Platt, Shiels (Bacon 23), Curry, Styche (Brough 70), Hotte, Peniket, Sinnott, Allan

Subs not used - Nicholson, O'Brien, Hinchley

Referee - Lewis Smith

Attendance - 1,564