Telford 1 Tamworth 0 - Report and pictures

A gate of 1,583 saw Connor McCarthy's second-half goal send the visiting Lambs to the slaughter as Telford and Rob Smith continued their miraculous revival in the National League North.

Easter Monday's key clash with relegation-threatened Brackley Town was in their minds.

The Bucks powered through and battled harder than their opponents and beat the elements on an extraordinary day at the Bucks Head.

Tamworth, on a run of seven National League North games unbeaten, were slow out of the traps and very nearly almost punished in an action-packed opening 90 seconds.

A ball played back to shot-stopper James Belshaw was not at all well dealt with on the boggy surface and the 'keeper lost his footing, just clearing his lines at the same time.

Telford's early burst wasn't over though and Izak Reid, in for John Cofie, shifted himself into a good position on the right flank and dropped a delicious ball across Tamworth's six-yard line that begged for a touch.

The blustery conditions were always going to play a part and almost made an immediate impact as Belshaw's clearance from his hands floated across the stadium and dropped on James Montgomery's net.

Shrewsbury-born former Telford man Elliott Durrell, who featured for Smith at Hednesford Town, was pulling the strings for the visitors.

It was Durrell who slipped in forward Danny Newton but Dwayne Samuels last-ditch challenge cleared the danger.

A couple of sumptuous set-piece deliveries from Lucas Dawson looked the Bucks' best bet as the first-half wore on.

On two occasion he was just unable to find Curtis Tilt, who was being manhandled by the Lambs backline.

Reid's attempt to livens things up after skipping through a couple of challenges proved in vain as he skewed his final ball into the away fans to barrage of mocking chants.

Durrell threatened again as the pantomime villain and an excellent burst, leaving two Bucks challenges for dead, was followed by an ambitious 35-yard strike that cracked off the roof of the David Hutchison Stand.

The game's best chance of note came, inevitably, from a Dawson delivery.

This time the midfield curled in from the corner of the box, finding Connor McCarthy unmarked in the centre.

The forward seemed to miss-time his jump and could only flash his header wide. Another Dawson free-kick caused carnage as Mike Grogan met it at the far post heading back across goal,

Dwayne Samuels' lunged at it but saw a header well blocked. McCarthy's fierce volley from a Dawson cross was well blocked on the stroke of half-time as the Bucks continued to have the best of the chances.

Six minutes into the second period and the hosts should have the lead, Dawson's lofted ball from deep was met by Curtis Tilt who could only help it wide with his weaker right foot.

But a minute later and as the heavens completely opened, the bumper home crowd - Telford's best of the season - were given something to shout about.

McCarthy produced some good work down the right side and worked himself an opening.

His skidded effort flew across the face of goal, seemingly left by the visiting keeper, before creeping in at the back stick.

Originally it seemed Reid, rushing in on the back post, pounced on the final touch but the goal was given to McCarthy.

Tamworth failed to recover from the hammerblow and were fortunate not to give a spot-kick away shortly afterwards as Hibbert and McCarthy both had their shirts pulled from corners.

The visitors, who were aware that their play-off chances are very much in the balance, continued to look most likely from a dead ball and Durrell's delivery somehow failed to unlock the door.

His wicked cross was flicked on by sub Steve Tomassen for ex-Buck defender Dan Preston who somehow steered wide from only three yards.

With less than 20 minutes remaining Tamworth striker Newton climbed high to head dangerman Durrell's cross over the top.

Moments were remaining it was the grafting Bucks that looked like edging further ahead.

First of all, sub Sean Clancy saw his effort palmed over by Belshaw after good work from Wynter.

But Montgomery was heroic late on in keeping Tamworth at bay.

The ever-dangerous Durrell burst free down the left, his cross was half-cleared by Wynter .

A Tamworth body laid it back to Tomassen whose shot cleared a number of bodies before Montgomery palmed away and the inspired Bucks held on.