AFC Telford release defender Mark Lees

The former Southport centre-back has been on loan at Ashton United for two months, but has now reached an agreement to cancel his contract at the New Bucks Head.

A club statement said: "We would like to thank Mark for all his contribution and we wish him all the best in the future."

Lees, who was signed by former manager Steve Kittrick in the summer, played the first 12 games of the season but hasn't featured since the 1-0 defeat at AFC Fylde on October 3.

He has been released following the re-signing of Graham Hutchison on loan from FC Halifax, one of two arrivals from the Shaymen after the Bucks were reunited with striker Richard Peniket.

He arrived on a month's loan, after Connor McCarthy returned to Southport.

Meanwhile, boss Rob Smith believes Telford may have seen the turning point of their season.

The Bucks beat fellow strugglers Lowestoft 1-0 on Saturday when Dwayne Samuels' wayward shot took a deflection and went in.

Smith said: "We had a bit of Lady Luck shine on us, because it looked as if the ball was going wide. Maybe that was the turning point we needed."

A much-needed victory left Telford still bottom, but four points adrift of safety.

They have two games against third-from-bottom Hednesford and one against fifth-from-bottom Gloucester to come in the next three outings.

Smith said: "It will give us a bit of confidence to go to Hednesford with on Saturday."