Ryan Young's heroics keep AFC Telford top - match analysis and pictures

The last time the Bucks climbed into pole position, it was at the turn of the year with a 5-3 victory in that memorable New Year's Day clash at home to Hednesford Town.

That week, they went to Harrogate Town and laboured to a 2-2 draw, allowing North Ferriby United to steal a march on them. That could have happened again on Saturday.

Never before this season had the New Bucks Head played host while at the summit and, on paper, it should have been routine against a Bradford Park Avenue side hardly tearing up trees.

But Avenue played Telford off the park in September's reverse fixture and in spells did the same on this occasion. The big difference was this time they lost 2-1, rather than winning 3-1.

And the big reason that was the case was down to the Bucks' longest-serving player and fan favourite Ryan Young with the keeper pulling off a number of fine saves.

It was the 34-year-old's display that saw Telford extend their unbeaten run to seven games, as they battened down the hatches on home turf.

Andy Owens' third goal of the season broke the deadlock for the Bucks before Adam Farrell extended the lead from the penalty spot with Danny Glover pulling a goal back for Avenue.

Changes were again made by Telford manager Liam Watson, with captain Simon Grand and Mike Phenix brought back into the starting line-up.

Skipper Grand replaced Neill Byrne, who dropped out of the squad, while Sean Clancy was relegated to the bench for Phenix, despite scoring two penalties at Vauxhall Motors the previous weekend.

It was all Telford early on with Farrell off target in the fifth minute after he was found unmarked at the far post by Phenix's low cross.

Phenix forced a save from Avenue goalkeeper John Lamb two minutes later, after racing onto a ball over the top from Mike Grogan.

Grand went very close with a header from Shaun Whalley's cross moments later, with suggestions the ball may have even crossed the line.

The tide turned to the other end in the 14th minute when Young could only push away Chib Chilaka's shot as far as Nicky Boshell, who somehow put the rebound wide.

A vital tackle from Dan Preston denied Boshell again in the 24th minute as the Avenue midfielder looked to pull the trigger after working his way into the box.

Manager's son Jordan Deacey should have scored for Avenue on 39 minutes, but could only fire over the crossbar after the ball had run loose from Chilaka.

Young had his fingers stung by an effort from outside of the box from Avenue attacker Paul Walker two minutes before half-time as the teams went into the break goalless.

Player-coach Alan Moogan entered the fray at half-time for the hosts, in what was his third league appearance of the season at the New Bucks Head after groin surgery. Charlie Barnett made way.

Telford looked to have taken the lead two minutes into the second-half through a goal-bound header from Grand, but Avenue defender Ryan Qualter was there to head off the line.

Matthew McGinn was introduced four minutes later for Lever, mainly for his ever-growing reputation as a danger-man on the ball. And so it proved.

The ball dropped agonisingly wide from Owens' flick after McGinn had made his presence felt by whipping in the cross on 54 minutes.

But Avenue continued to pose a threat at the other end, too, with Young parrying Chilaka's shot seconds later after Deacey had played him through.

But Telford hit back straight away to take the lead, as Owens headed home from another inviting McGinn cross.

Young kept that slender Telford advantage intact on 59 minutes, tipping over Martin Drury's shot as Avenue immediately went in search of an equaliser.

That fell by the wayside in the 65th minute when Lamb and Phenix both went for a ball on the edge of the box and the goalkeeper hacked him down to concede a spot-kick, escaping with a booking.

With regular penalty taker Clancy on the bench, up stepped top-scorer Farrell to send Lamb the wrong way with a low effort to his right to make it 2-0.

Young had to deny Avenue an instant reply in the 69th minute, acrobatically getting a hand to Boshell's effort from just outside the box.

Clancy, on for Phenix with 20 minutes left on the clock, could have made an instant impact but could only lift the ball over the bar.

Avenue finally got the goal they deserved with eight minutes to go through substitute Glover, who seized on Preston's slip to round Young and slot the ball into an empty net.

That set up a tense finale for Telford but they managed to keep out Avenue to record a result that was, perhaps, harsh on the visitors.

But you do have to ride your luck on a promotion charge at times. Even boss Watson conceded that it's not going to be pretty or even justified at times when picking up the points required.

Avenue are miles better than their mid-table position suggests, but table-topping Telford were far from their best on this occasion. This was one of those days. Take the win and move on.

By Craig Birch