AFC Telford 1 Southport 1 - Report and pictures

The Bucks took the lead in the first half, Marcus Dinanga netting for the 11th time this season.

It was an anxious showing from Rob Edwards' outfit in the second half though and they were pegged back very late on.

A penalty was given after the ball struck Ryan Wilson's arm and Nathan Lowe coolly found the bottom corner from the spot.

It was the first stalemate for Telford in National League North this season.

Analysis

There was just one change to the Telford side which lost 3-2 at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday night as Anthony Dwyer replaced Jordan Lussey, who was left out of the squad due to an injury.

Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence was held as this was the last Bucks home game before Remembrance Sunday.

Telford made a fairly bright start to the encounter and were having the lion's share of possession.

Jordan Murphy, Elliot Newby and Anthony Dwyer - playing in behind centre forward Dinanga - saw plenty of the ball, but just could not finish off a few fine moves.

A drop in tempo allowed the visitors, who had striker Jack Sampson limp off after half an hour, to impose themselves slightly.

The Bucks were still the better side though and Jon Royle almost got a rare goal - his effort from close range clipping the post.

That was a warning which Southport did not heed. They were punished after not tracking Dinanga's run into the six-yard area.

A quick attack - just prior to half-time - saw the ball worked out wide to Newby, whose low cross was steered home by the Burton Albion loanee, for a deserved lead at the interval.

The away side - managed by former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies - made another substitution for the start of the second period, David Morgan taking Gary Roberts' place in the middle of the park.

It gave them a boost. They were passing the ball around quite comfortably, which was largely down to the Telford defence dropping too deep and inviting pressure.

Southport midfielder Lowe's attempt crept wide before they made a final throw of the dice as Kaiman Anderson, who has played for the Bucks and Shrewsbury Town, came on for Dan Cockerline.

Sensing they were under the cosh, Edwards made a switch as scorer Dinanga went off for defensive midfielder Louis McGrory.

It was a nervy display towards the end from the Bucks and in the five minutes of added-on time, they conceded.

Wilson was deemed to have handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded. Lowe kept his nerve, sending Jas Singh the wrong way.

It was a draw that will have rather felt like a defeat for Telford.

Key Moments

32 - A free-kick in a decent area for Telford. Henry Cowans crosses the ball into the box and Jon Royle's effort hits the upright.

40 - GOAL! A ruthless attack from the Bucks. Royle lofts the ball to Jordan Murphy and he cuts inside to pass to Cowans. He finds Elliot Newby, who crosses for Marcus Dinanga to volley in. Lovely move.

60 - Southport midfielder Nathan Lowe's strike flies just wide of the far post. He was given a lot of space on the edge of the 18-yard box.

92 - Penalty! A spot-kick is given to the visitors after the ball strikes Ryan Wilson's arm, which was in an unnatural position, in the box.

93 - Goal! Lowe makes no mistake from the spot, slotting the ball low into the corner for a share of the spoils.

Teams

Telford (4-2-3-1): Singh; Simpson, Johnson, R White, Wilson; Royle (c), Cowans; Dwyer, Murphy, Newby; Dinanga (McGrory, 74)

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

Southport (3-5-2): Halstead; Sykes, Smith, Dugdale (c); Jackson, Lowe, Cockerline (Anderson, 69), Roberts (Morgan, 46), A White; Sampson (Sang, 30), Hallam

Subs not used: Kpohomouh, Turner (gk)

Man of the Match

Jon Royle - Donned the captain's armband in the absence of Shane Sutton and put in a very composed display. He very rarely gave the ball away and headed clear a fair few times after Southport corners. 8/10