Stockport 0 AFC Telford 1 - Report and pictures

The substitute blasted home from the spot after Izak Reid was fouled by home goalkeeper Ian Ormson to earn the Bucks just their fifth league victory of the season.

In a game of few chances, Ryan Rowe went closest for the visitors in the first half when his shot was saved by Ormson.

Bucks goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne saved from John Marsden in the second period and then denied Glenn Rule at the death as Telford hung on for a vital three points.

Though they remain bottom of the National League North, the Bucks are now within touch of the teams above.

There was an element of controversy over the winner, with the home team adamant Ormson had won the ball. But Bucks boss Rob Smith, and his players, are unlikely to care.

Smith made three changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Gloucester City last time out.

Curtis Tilt, Jordan Wynter and Rowe replaced Jack Deaman, Sam Austin and Dave Hibbert - the latter making it onto the bench after a late fitness test.

This was a game between two sides horribly out of form, with the Bucks having lost seven of their last nine.

Stockport, meanwhile, had won only once since October and lost five of their last six at home.

Somewhat predictably, the start to the game was scrappy, with the first shot on goal not arriving until almost the half-hour mark when Rowe sent a free-kick over the bar.

From then, Telford largely dominated the closing stages of the first-half, with Rowe bringing the first save of the game from Ormson, who parried the shot from Richard Peniket's pull-back.

The latter also headed over from a Tom Tonks long-throw when well placed, while Darren Campion drove a shot wide.

Stockport, despite enjoying more possession, were largely contained with their only attempts of note two Jonny Margetts headers, both of which sailed well wide.

Home boss Neil Young tried to remedy his side's lack of cutting edge by introducing new signing John Marsden at the break.

The striker, signed from Colwyn Bay on Thursday, promptly drew the first save of the game from Bucks shot-stopper Harry Burgoyne with a low drive, before sending another effort over from distance.

Telford did not muster another chance until the final 20 minutes when Rowe hammered wide after substitute Lucas Dawson's free-kick had been deflected into his path.

Instead it was the hosts who continued to look more dangerous as the game wore on, with Joe Garvin curling a free-kick inches off target.

But with two minutes to go came a moment which may well prove crucial in Telford's season and indeed their history.

The home defence went to sleep as Reid raced on to Rowe's through ball before tumbling under the sliding challenge of Ormson.

The goalkeeper looked to take both man and ball, as referee Alf Greenwood pointing to the spot. Dawson promptly smashed his spot-kick high into the roof of the net.

There was still time for more drama, as Burgoyne denied substitute Rule from close range in stoppage time.

Stockport: Ormson, Connolly, Smalley, O'Hanlon, Garvin, Bell-Baggie (Marsden HT), Montrose, Ledsham, Menagh (Rule 73), Brewster, Margetts (Odejayi 73) Subs not used: Tonge, Russell.

Telford: Burgoyne, Samuels, Tilt, Hutchison, Campion, Wynter (Dawson 70), Rea, Tonks (Grogan 78), Clancy (Reid 54), Peniket, Rowe Subs not used: Hibbert, Montgomery (gk).