Curzon Ashton 1 Telford 0 - Report and pictures

It was a disappointing night for Rob Edwards, who watched his players dominate for the majority of the second half but fail to find an equaliser.

Cummins got his goal shortly after half-time, finishing off a sharp move from close range.

The result means the Bucks remain on three points after four National League North games, although it was arguably their most assured performance of the new season.

Telford made one change to the side that started the 2-0 defeat to Salford City on Saturday as debutant Marcus Dinanga replaced Jack Rea, who has been struggling with a hamstring niggle and was on the bench.

It was the same 3-4-2-1 formation they used in the first three league games - a win at York, and defeats at home to Brackley Town and Salford City.

Will Marsh, Jon Royle and Joe Fitzpatrick - who all travelled and are not carrying injuries - were left out of the squad.

Curzon's playing surface is immaculate, like a carpet, and the Bucks were keen to get the ball down and play short, sharp passes right from the outset.

Dinanga was the first to get a shot on target for Edwards' charges, with his left-footed effort from around 25 yards out forcing home goalkeeper Cameron Mason to get down low and gather.

Telford were looking to play attractive, effective football - no doubt - but, at times, were being a little careless and inviting pressure.

Aaron Hayden, who is on loan from Wolves, was looking to play out from the back but fed the ball straight to Curzon midfielder Paul Marshall in the 20th minute and a Ross White interception was needed to cut out his cross-field pass

Jordan Lussey was playing in central midfield for the Bucks, but dropping deep to pick up possession and initiate attacks.

He was one of their standout players in the first period, along with Dinanga - a fast, strong striker.

The Nash were also playing some nice stuff, as they have a reputation of doing, and had Max Leonard force Jas Singh into a routine save and then curl an effort wide.

Just before the interval, Dinanga, twice, burst through for Telford and saw his strikes deflect out for corners, which nothing came from.

Given how the first half went, with both teams playing some decent stuff, neither Edwards or Curzon boss John Flanagan made any changes for the start of the second.

The Bucks' approach changed in the opening minutes of the second period, playing long balls over the top and looking to release the pacy Dinanga - but Mason was on his toes to thwart their attempts.

And just as Edwards' side looked to be getting on top, they fell behind.

Curzon worked the ball out to the left, in the 51st minute, and Joe Guest's low cross from the byline was smashed home from a few yards out by the unmarked Cummins. The defence switched off there.

Telford made their first substitution straight after the goal, with Matthew Barnes-Homer replacing John Marsden, as they looked to bounce back.

They made another on the hour mark as well, Curtis Strong coming on for Jordan Gough, and were putting the hosts under pressure by putting a lot of crosses into box.

Strong was bursting forward, down the left, at every opportunity but a few of his crosses were off the mark.

The Bucks' final ball was left wanting all too often - you could not fault their effort, but their execution was not the best.

With Barnes-Homer and Dinanga playing as a front two, they were pinning the hosts fairly deep. The Nash were on the back foot and Guest earned himself a booking for a late challenge on Aaron Simpson.

Curzon were struggling to get out of their own half, Telford were dominating but just could not carve out a good chance.

In the final 10 minutes, Edwards made his final throw of the dice as Anthony Dwyer was introduced in place of Kieran Dunbar.

Substitute Ben Wharton, against the run of play, went close to putting the game out of sight for the home side as his left-footed strike rolled just wide. He earned a booking shortly after for kicking the ball away after the referee's whistle had been blown.

Strong's curling attempt was palmed away by Mason in the dying minutes, and that was the closest the Bucks came.

Frustrating for Edwards and his players. They are in action again on Saturday, away at Darlington.

Teams

Curzon (4-4-2): Mason; Baillie, Hunt (c), Howson, Regan; Bakkor (Crothers, 65), Rowney, Marshall, Guest; Cummins (Wharton, 73), Leonard (Bianga, 87)

Subs not used: Thornley, McKenzie

Telford (3-4-2-1): Singh; Hayden, Sutton (c), White; Simpson, Lussey, Dunbar (Dwyer, 81), Gough (Strong, 60); Marsden (Barnes-Homer, 53), Newby; Dinanga

Subs not used: Rea, Martinez (gk)

Attendance: 380

Referee: Samuel Barrott