Nuneaton 1 Telford 1 - Report and pictures

Josh Wilson cancelled out Aaron Williams's 23rd-minute opener 12 minutes from time with a long overdue equaliser to earn Rob Smith's side a more-than-deserved point.

But they were denied by two first-half saves from on-loan Shrewsbury Town keeper Callum Burton and had three strong penalty appeals waved aside, while Wilson missed from point-blank range as their lack of a killer instinct cost them dear.

There was also the worrying sight of frontman Dave Hibbert limping off with a knee injury just after the hour.

Boss Rob Smith made one change to Saturday's draw against Stockport which saw Ben Bailey replace Dan Preston at centre back for his full Bucks debut.

There were two Shrewsbury Town connections in the Nuneaton side with on-loan keeper Callum Burton and captain and ex-Town defender Kelvin Langmead, plus two Wolves ones in one-time academy graduate Jordan Keane and striker David Moli on the bench.

And it was Burton who starred in a first half which showed a real contrast between the two goalkeepers as Telford dominated only to trail.

Burton denied Dave Hibbert in the clearest opening for the visitors when he blocked a sidefooted effort with his legs, then flung himself to his right to beat away a 20-yard shot from Bailey.

But it was an error by opposite number James Montgomery which provided the crucial moment when the Bucks keeper's awful kick presented the ball to Aaron Williams, who made no mistake to easily slot home in the 23rd minute.

It all started so well for the Bucks and they were quick to assert themselves on the fragile-looking hosts, who had lost all three home games.

Telford launched the first of several penalty appeals as Josh Wilson and two defenders went down following James Hurst's ninth-minute cross but the referee instead blew for a Nuneaton free kick.

A minute later though a turn and rising shot from dangerman Shaq McDonald looped up off Dwayne Samuels for a corner.

Conor Anderson left himself walking a discplinary tightrope when he became the first player to be booked after bringing down Hibbert.

Telford were much the better team and it was no surprise that the first real chance went to them as Hibbert's sidefoot volley was blocked by Burton after Wilson nodded a cross back into his path eight yards out.

So it was a complete surprise to see them fall behind, but after the initial shock, they soon were on the offensive again.

Sean Williams sliced well wide and then there were again strong appeals for a Telford penalty, this time on the half hour when Havern went down under challenge from Anderson trying to shoot.

But despite several players surrounding him, the referee was having none of it.

Ten minutes from half-time Danny Reynolds showed neat feet to turn onto Darren Campion's short pass but could only curl a low shot into the arms of Burton.

There was a rare scare for the Bucks on 38 when Sam Warburton's hanging cross was completely missed by the unmarked James Clifton before Telford cleared for a corner.

From the set-piece, David Morgan sliced well wide after Samuels blocked Aaron Williams's shot after Telford failed three or four times to clear the corner.

The Bucks returned to the attack and Sean Williams's low sidefooted shot was deflected inches wide from Hibbert's knockdown.

Three minutes before the break came a second serious save from Burton, who dived smartly to his right to beat away Bailey's 20-yard drive.

Telford introduced winger Micah Evans for Hurst at half-time and the former Blackburn youngster immediately looked to inspire his side set to chase an equaliser.

Within two minutes there were calls for a Telford penalty, this time for handball after Warburton blocked Wilson's point-blank shot following a great run and cross from Evans.

Telford piled forward again and Wilson somehow missed the ball from almost on the line after Hibbert flicked on Williams's corner.

Nuneaton tried to hit back on the break and Morgan flashed a rising drive a foot over the bar from 25 yards as Telford were caught out throwing men forward.

Evans was looking a real threat in the early part of the second half and he ran at the defence before letting fly with a fierce angled drive which swerved away from goal.

But Telford had to keep their wits about them defensively as dangerman Shaq McDonald stabbed wide after Luca Havern initially did brilliantly with his own sliding challenge.

Telford introduced Tom Peers for Danny Reynolds off on 58 but within three minutes they were forced into another and this time unwanted change up front after Hibbert went down worryingly with what seemed to be a problem with his left knee to be replaced by Callum Gittings.

The loss of the busy Hibbert understandably unsettled the visitors as they were missing the focal point of their attack.

Wilson was pushed further forwards and it was the former AFC Fylde man who grabbed an overdue leveller.

The Scouser took advantage of some poor defending as Nuneaton switched off from a long ball and Wilson was able to run beyond the back line, control with his chest and coolly slot under Burton.

As full-time approached, it was Telford, fortified by their goal, who looked the team who wanted to win the game.

Gittings saw a drive blocked before the fourth official signalled four minutes of time added on.

But the visitors were unable to create anything to snatch a winner as their struggles in front of goal continued.

Nuneaton (3-4-1-2): Burton; Anderson, Langmead, Keane; Clifton, Morgan, Daniels, Warburton; Ironside (Moli 75); McDonald (Whitehouse 67), A Williams.

Subs not used: Tempest, Demkiv, Cartwright.

Telford (4-3-3): Montgomery 6; SAMUELS 8, Bailey 7, Havern 8, Campion 8; Rea 6, S Williams 6, Hurst 6 (Evans HT); Reynolds 6 (Peers 58), Hibbert 7 (Gittings 61), Wilson 7.

Subs not used: Dawson, Edge.

Referee: Declan Bourne (Notts).

Attendance: 633.