AFC Telford 2 Chorley 0 - Report and pictures

A total of 1391 fans at New Bucks Head witnessed John Cofie and Lucas Dawson grab goals late in the first half to secure the all-important three points.

Chorley captain Andy Teague was sent off for an off-the-ball incident which involved Josh Wilson.

After scoring eight and conceding seven in the two games prior to this one, Telford made no errors at the back, were potent in attack and deservedly made it seven points from a possible nine this week.

Rob Smith's men looked eager from the start, although they struggled to keep the ball in the opening exchanges. Still, the Bucks could have gone 1-0 up with just six minutes on the clock.

Lucas Dawson released Connor McCarthy with a fantastic through ball over the top, but his effort was straight at Chorley's Sam Ashton and then rebounded for a goal kick.

Chorley then tried their luck, Dale Whitham's long-range effort was tipped round the post by James Montgomery, before Keil O'Brian saw his looping header go wide.

As the half went on, Telford looked the busier of the two sides. Captain Jack Rea was booked, after what seemed to be a 50/50 clash with Chorley's Adam Roscoe, who went down holding his head.

Connor McCarthy, who was busy all afternoon, then latched onto another speculative pass, turned and laid the ball off to Josh Wilson but his effort was blocked on the line.

One minute later, John Cofie put the home side ahead, curling an effort from the edge of the box into the far corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Chorley captain Andy Teague lost his head and was shown red after an apparent elbow on Wilson inside the area.

Lucas Dawson stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and sent Chorley stopper Sam Ashton the wrong way to double the lead.

The visitors were forced into a change, taking off Jack Lynch and replacing him with centre back Courtney Meppen-Walter. It was an exhilarating ending to the half to say the least.

The second period though was pretty much a non-event. Telford took their foot off the gas, and rightly so, as 10-man Chorley struggled to muster up anything meaningful in attack.

The only real chance came to Cofie, minutes into the half. Josh Wilson's half volley was parried by Sam Ashton into Cofie's path, but he somehow fired wide with the goal gaping.

Some may have expected a frantic end, but it was not to be. Rob Smith made three changes, John Cofie, Jack Rea and Connor McCarthy were all replaced late on by Izak Reid, Sean Clancy and Tommy Tonks.

But really, once Telford went two up, the result was never in doubt. After this performance, you would back the Bucks to make the great escape.