AFC Telford 1 Worcester City 0 - Report and pictures

It was far from an enthralling encounter, but the Bucks will not care too much about that as Marsden's second goal in as many games sealed back-to-back league wins.

Analysis

Telford - who entered this game six points clear of the drop zone - were unchanged from their 2-0 triumph at Stalybridge Celtic last Tuesday.

Connor McCarthy started up front with Lee Hughes and for the latter, this was his first time facing Worcester since leaving the club a couple of months ago.

The Bucks were buoyant after that win at Bower Fold but the visitors - two points clear of trouble going into this one - were feeling better about themselves as well, having ended an 18-match winless run the weekend prior as they also beat Stalybridge.

There was plenty of pace to the affair in the opening exchanges. In fact, it was a little too frantic. Neither side was displaying much composure and the majority of play was very direct, aiming for the heads of the attackers.

That approach almost paid off for the Bucks in the 19th minute as Ben Bailey's high ball into the box was headed narrowly high and wide by Hughes.

Telford created little other than that though and for the most part, Worcester - who had Ebby Nelson-Addy go close early on with a well-struck volley - looked a bit better going forward in a pretty quiet first period.

Shortly into the second half, another chance fell to Hughes - who did not appear as sharp as he has done in recent weeks - but his strike was tame.

With the veteran not quite at it in front of goal, boss Rob Smith decided to throw on another striker just before the hour mark as Dan Westwood replaced Zak Lilly.

And then in the 70th minute, another attacking change was made as top scorer Josh Wilson entered the fray in place of Eddie Jones.

In terms of effort and sending bodies forward, you could not really fault Telford. As has been the case on so many occasions though this term, there was a distinct lack of creativity in their attacking play - it was all too predictable.

You sensed if the Bucks were to score, they would need a little luck on their side. And that was exactly the case as Marsden capitalised on a massive defensive mix-up to fire the ball home 83 minutes in.

Telford could have made it 2-0 before it was all said and done, with Westwood having a close-range shot saved. It was not pretty, but that does not matter as the win will likely be enough to keep them up.

Key moments

9 - Worcester go close. Following a corner, the ball drops for winger Ebby Nelson-Addy on the edge of the box and his looping volley flies just wide of the far post.

19 - It is very direct - and it almost pays off for Telford. Ben Bailey's hoof into the box is attacked by Lee Hughes, whose powerful header just misses the mark.

47 - Big chance for Telford. A mistake from Worcester defender James Chambers puts Hughes through on goal and, with enough time and space to take a touch, he opts for a side-footed volley which rolls out for a goal kick.

83 - GOAL! The Bucks break the deadlock as John Marsden gets his second in as many games. Vaughan comes out to claim the ball but Chambers goes for it too, and Marsden makes the most of the opportunity with a cool finish.

90 - It should be 2-0 to Telford. Josh Wilson's ball across goal drops to Dan Westwood, who is denied at point-blank range by a fantastic reaction save.

Teams

Telford (4-4-2): Burton; Samuels, Havern (c), Bailey, Dielna; Marsden, Jones, Fitzpatrick, Lilly (Westwood, 58); Hughes, McCarthy (Hodge, 89)

Subs not used: Higham, Cowan

Worcester (4-4-2): Vaughan; Gallinagh, Chambers, Hutchison, Weir; C Keane, J Keane, Jackman (c) (Tilbury, 87), Nelson-Addy; Muskwe (Devlin, 82), Murphy

Subs not used: Rose, Ross, Oji

Goals: John Marsden (83)

Referee: Simon Mather

Position in the table

16th (40 points from 37 games)