AFC Telford 3 Leamington 2 - Report and pictures

This was built up as a must-win encounter for the Bucks, and credit to them for coming out on top - even if it was not as smooth as they would have liked.

Marcus Dinanga put them in front, but the tide swiftly turned as Junior English and Daniel Udoh struck for the visitors.

Skipper Shane Sutton levelled with his head before the break, and centre-half partner Smith bundled in to clinch a massive three points.

Rob Edwards' charges are now 18th, two points clear of the bottom three with five games to go.

Telford made three changes from the 2-1 defeat to Chorley last weekend.

Surprisingly, Elliot Newby dropped to the bench having scored the goal against the Magpies - and the winner in the 3-2 victory against Spennymoor Town before that.

Paul Bignot and Amari Morgan-Smith were the other two pulled out of the starting line-up, with Connor Johnson, Jordan Lussey and Kane Richards those coming in. Shrewsbury Town loanee John McAtee again failed to make the Bucks squad.

Newby being among the substitutes could have been down to the state of the pitch. Quite frankly, it was a mud bath and Edwards perhaps thought the 22-year-old's mazy runs would not have had the same effect on the areas of standing water, or he would be better-suited attacking leggy defenders.

Telford midfielder Ellis Deeney received treatment just a couple of minutes in after losing his footing on the boggy surface. He was OK to carry on.

The conditions were always likely to play a big factor, and they helped the Bucks go in front. A clever flick from Richards left the Brakes backline stuck in the mud, allowing Dinanga to slot home from close range for his 20th goal of the campaign.

In typical Telford fashion, though, the lead lasted a mere three minutes. English was gifted enough time and space, following a corner from the right, to take a touch before firing the ball into the net. Far too easy.

And if that was not bad enough, Leamington soon went ahead. Udoh won the test of strength against Johnson to latch onto a through-ball. He took the chance with aplomb, passing the ball through the legs of Ben Wilson with the inside of his right foot.

It was the Bucks all over - beginning brightly and scoring, but going on to concede goals in quick succession.

Thankfully, they were back level just after the half-hour mark. A Ryan Giles cross was flicked on by Johnson to the back post, where Sutton acrobatically headed in, off the underside of the bar. He did really well to adjust to the flight of the ball and direct it past Tony Breeden.

Then came some much-needed time for both sides to breathe as a frantic first half came to a close, although there was a penalty shout from the hosts before the whistle was blown. Richards went over after tangling with English but referee Sam Mulhall was not interested.

There were no changes for the start of the second period. The clash continued to be frenetic, possession being surrendered frequently.

It was all a bit scrappy, as was the goal which put Telford back in the ascendancy. Breeden rushed off his line to claim a corner but missed the ball and Smith was on hand to squeeze it in from a couple of yards out.

Seeking a two-goal cushion, Edwards freshened up his frontline by bringing on Morgan-Smith for Richards. The Bucks adopted a more direct approach following the introduction of the former York City striker.

With the lack of balls to feet, Dinanga was not having much of an effect in proceedings. Edwards saw fit to take him off, for Marsden.

Telford almost got their fourth after a fine delivery from Giles found Sutton, who nodded onto the bar. The set piece ability of Giles has been of huge benefit since he arrived on loan from Wolves.

Quite a few players, understandably, seemed to tire during the closing stages - thanks in so small part to the heavy pitch.

The Brakes committed a lot of bodies forward in search of an equaliser at the death, to no avail. Big night for the Bucks.

Teams

Telford (4-3-3): Wilson; Johnson, Sutton (c), Smith, White; Lussey, Deeney, Cowans, Giles (Bignot, 90); Richards (Morgan-Smith, 57), Dinanga (Marsden, 68)

Subs not used: Newby, Singh (gk)

Leamington (4-4-1-1): Breeden; English, Hood, Mace, Gudger; Dodd (Obeng, 65), Clarke, Gittings (Canavan, 87), Dunbar (Revan, 79); Edwards; Udoh

Subs not used: Magunda, Taundry

Attendance: 977

Referee: Sam Mulhall (Cheshire)