Stafford Rangers 1 AFC Telford 1 - Report and pictures

The Bucks got this third qualifying round tie off to an awful start as Richard Batchelor scored with his head.

Boro did not threaten much after that, though, and Rob Edwards' charges earned a replay on Tuesday night at the New Bucks Head through Marsden's cool finish - after Hayden was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.

Analysis

Telford beat Barwell 2-0 in the last round while Rangers enjoyed a 1-0 triumph against Tamworth.

There was one change to the Bucks side that started the 3-2 National League North defeat at Chorley last weekend as Henry Cowans replaced Elliot Newby.

Youth team winger Reece Taylor was among their seven substitutes and the hosts had former Telford players Mat Bailey and Dan Westwood in their first XI - and Izak Reid on the bench.

Edwards' men were in a different formation to usual - 4-3-3 instead of 3-5-2 - and they made an awful start, going behind in the ninth minute.

Bucks left-back Jordan Gough fouled Osebi Abadaki near the corner flag and Jack Sherratt swung in the free-kick for the unmarked Batchelor to head home.

That was all very simple and Telford were struggling to create anything going forward as Boro were closing them down quickly.

Marcus Dinanga had a golden opportunity to level after 25 minutes, though. He volleyed wide after Gough's cross from the left-hand side.

After that opening, the Bucks had the lion's share of possession and the home side barely got out of their own half - but the scoreline did not change before the break.

Edwards, unsurprisingly, made a change for the start of the second period as Jordan Lussey made way for Newby.

His cross just before the hour mark may have resulted in a leveller as well had Gough not scuffed his shot - and then Anthony Dwyer blazed an effort high and wide.

Rangers were looking nervy, clearing the ball as soon as it came their way, and seemed there for the taking.

Just as they should have been really pushing for an equaliser, though, Telford went down to 10 men as Hayden was given his marching orders.

The incident also involved Richard Gregory, who went unpunished, and referee Thomas Parsons showed the man on loan from Wolves a straight red card after consulting with one of his assistants.

Obviously, that was not ideal but the Bucks did not let it get them down and they drew level after 83 minutes.

Marsden shifted the ball on to his left foot, after Dinanga's cut-back, and stroked it into the bottom corner - great finish.

Telford clung on for the draw, after Sherratt went close for Boro, and deserve credit for doing so after being a man down during the closing stages.

Key moments

9 - Goal! Rangers take the lead through Richard Batchelor. Jack Sherratt swings in a free-kick from the right and Batchelor is free to head in from around six yards out.

26 - Telford should be level. Jordan Gough finds space on the left-hand side and crosses to the back post, where Marcus Dinanga - their top scorer so far this season - volleys wide.

43 - Bucks forward Anthony Dwyer fires the ball across goal and Gough gets a slight touch, but Boro goalkeeper Adam Whitehouse gathers before it goes over the line.

69 - Red card! Telford defender Aaron Hayden is shown a straight red card after a coming together with Richard Gregory.

83 - GOAL! The Bucks draw level through John Marsden. He receives the ball from Dinanga and slots it into the far corner with his left foot. A great show of character from Rob Edwards' charges.

90 - Big chance for the hosts. Jack Sherratt steers the ball over after a good cross from the right.

Teams

Stafford (4-4-2): Whitehouse; Griffiths, Brown, Bailey (c), K Westwood; Abadaki (I Reid, 62), L Reid, Batchelor, Sherratt; D Westwood (Davis, 77), Gregory (Briscoe, 84)

Subs not used: Davis, Thomas, Morris, Caswell (gk)

Telford (4-3-3): Singh; White, Hayden, Sutton (c), Gough; Royle, Lussey (Newby, 46), Cowans; Dwyer (Barnes-Homer, 84), Dinanga, Marsden

Subs not used: McGrory, Murphy, Marsh, Taylor, Martinez (gk)

Attendance: 1,137

Man of the Match

John Marsden - Took his goal really well and was calm in possession. 8/10