AFC Telford 4 Stafford Rangers 1 - Report and pictures

Top scorer Marcus Dinanga netted twice at the New Bucks Head before Anthony Dwyer and Jordan Murphy struck to put the tie beyond any doubt.

It was not all plain sailing, though, as the scores were level at half-time thanks to a cool finish from Rangers attacker Richard Gregory.

Rob Edwards' side pulled clear towards the end and will face league rivals FC United of Manchester, who won their replay against Stockport County 1-0 despite having nine men for much of it, at home on Saturday, October 14.

Telford made two changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw on Saturday as Connor Johnson and Elliot Newby came in for Aaron Hayden and Jordan Lussey.

Rangers were unchanged, having former Bucks men Mat Bailey and Dan Westwood in their starting line-up - and Izak Reid on the bench.

Edwards' charges, who were yet again in a 4-3-3 formation, began the game at a very high tempo and - in reverse to the Marston Road clash - they took an early lead.

Henry Cowans' delicious delivery from a corner caused confusion among the Boro backline and Dinanga took advantage, smashing the ball home from close range.

The visitors were not to be deterred, though, and had striker Westwood threaten twice - shooting over the bar and then having an effort cleared off the line.

That was a warning for Telford, who conceded shortly after as it proved third time lucky for Rangers.

It was Westwood's centre forward partner Gregory who took the chance, beating the offside trap, rounding Jas Singh and slotting into an empty net - a quarter of an hour in.

Frantic, end-to-end stuff - the first 20 minutes would have delighted the neutral.

Rather unsurprisingly, the following 10 or so were played at a much slower pace as the two sides got some well-earned breathers in.

John Marsden had the only effort of note during that period, smashing over after a corner.

Re-energised, though, it all quickened again before the break and the Bucks had a Newby penalty appeal waived away by referee Leigh Doughty.

Anthony Dwyer was booked too, for a late challenge on Boro full-back Kieren Westwood.

There were no substitutions for the start of the second period. Telford had seven to choose from, instead of the five allowed for National League North games.

It continued to be panicky and Bucks skipper Shane Sutton presented the away side with a decent opportunity by giving away a free-kick 25 yards from goal - and picking up a yellow card.

Gregory looked to double his and Rangers' tally, but his attempt went narrowly over the crossbar.

Almost instantly, the hosts went up the other end and got their second - Dinanga once again the man on the mark.

Jordan Gough crossed the ball to the far post and the Burton Albion loanee's goalbound header was helped in by Bailey, who got his attempted clearance all wrong.

Then Dwyer, just before being taken off, got in on the act. Johnson's header was blocked on the line and the ball then went in off the forward, who knew little about it.

He barely had time to celebrate as he was replaced by ex-Walsall youngster Murphy, who soon got among the goals.

The 21-year-old went through one-on-one with Boro goalkeeper Adam Whitehouse, and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner.

In the closing stages, the visitors made all three changes in an attempt to restore some pride.

Telford did the same too, also bringing on Louis McGrory for Marsden and Lussey for Cowans.

The home side were comfortable in the closing stages, having another Murphy strike ruled out for offside before the final whistle.

The scoreline suggests this was an easy night's work but Neil Kitching's Rangers put up a great fight for large spells and deserve credit.

Teams

Telford (4-3-3): Singh; White, Johnson, Sutton (c), Gough; Royle, Cowans (Lussey, 83), Newby; Dwyer (Murphy, 63), Marsden (McGrory, 77), Dinanga

Subs not used: Hayden, Barnes-Homer, Marsh, Martinez (gk)

Rangers (4-4-2): Whitehouse; Griffiths, Brown, Bailey (c), K Westwood; L Reid (I Reid, 65), Sherratt (Briscoe, 77), Batchelor, Abadaki (Thomas, 65); Gregory, D Westwood

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

Attendance: 869

Referee: Leigh Doughty (Lancashire)