Match report by Chris Hudson

Fans of AFC Telford United might just discover a new-found love for the Setanta Shield if this is the kind of drama and excitement we can expect in every round.

The much-maligned competition has yet to establish itself as a significant entry in the non-League calendar – a point emphasised by the lowly crowd of 652 at the New Bucks Head.

See the match photo gallery here

Almost three times that number watched the Blue Square North clash between the same two sides on Saturday.

Those that did make the effort, though, were treated to a gripping spectacle as the Bucks fought their way back from a two-goal deficit to win with a Jamie Vermiglio goal in extra-time.

Boss Rob Smith made seven changes to the side that had bagged a late winner in the weekend league clash, but will have been given food for thought by the terrific displays of some of the replacements.

Wing-back Lee Vaughan was dazzling on the right-hand side before succumbing to sheer exhaustion on 65 minutes, while Lee Moore did his chances no harm at all – especially after being pushed up front in the second half.

Jarred Stevens, on his full debut, also deserved to be commended for his tireless work-rate, while veteran Gary Fitzpatrick showed there is still plenty of life in his old legs.

Telford were on top from almost the first whistle, demonstrating a determination to attack that has been missing from so many of their showings of late.

It was, therefore, somewhat perplexing for them to find themselves 2-0 down so early in the second half – especially to one of the league’s least potent attacks.

Gainsborough have just seven goals to show for their eight Blue Square North outings, but they bagged two at the New Bucks Head to put themselves in a commanding position.

Adam Smith put them in front after just eight minutes, showing plenty of trickery and invention as he ghosted past Indy Khela then drilled the ball home.

Telford forced a dozen or more corners in the next 35 minutes, but still went in trailing at the break – and it soon got worse. Lewis McMahon made the most of some slack defending just four minutes after the re-start and then produced a superb finish to double his side’s lead.

The Bucks might have rolled over at that point, but instead continued to press forward in ever-increasing numbers – especially after Steve Jagielka made way for Jon Adams in a tactical switch that saw a change to a flat back four.

A lifeline was needed, and Stevens grabbed it by tucking home his first real opportunity just past the hour.

It was then just a case of whether Gainsborough could hold on and, with pressure building, that never looked likely.

Khela missed one golden opportunity with a free header, while the off-colour Terry Fearns fired wide.

It was Adams who eventually drew the hosts level, blasting in off an exquisite cross from fellow substitute Gavin Cowan.

Telford had their tails up and went into extra-time showing energy levels that made a mockery of the furious pace of the previous 90 minutes.

Fearns and Moore had half-chances to put their side in front, but tired legs were not able to find the required finish.

However, they were not to be denied and went ahead for the first time two minutes into injury-time at the end of the first extra period when Vermiglio deflected a Moore’s well-struck drive into the top corner.

Gainsborough tried to rally in the final 15 but never looked like taking the tie to penalties.

A shot from Josh Davies that flew harmlessly over Young’s crossbar was the best they could muster as the minutes ebbed away.

Telford were forced to hold on through four agonising minutes of extra-time at the end of the 120, but were worthy winners.

A competition so often seen as a needless distraction might just have given their confidence levels a vital boost at just the right time.

Match Facts:

AFC TELFORD: Young, Vaughan (Naylor 65), Charlton (Cowan 75), Jagielka (Adams 57), Rodgers, Khela, Fitzpatrick, Vermiglio, Fearns, Stevens, Moore. Subs not used: Whitehead, Nwadike. Booked: Rodgers (50) – for a push.

GAINSBOROUGH: Sollitt, Spafford (Greenwood 98), Burley, Ellis, Lukic, Anson (Davies 68), Austin (Mallon 105), Ross, Bird, McMahon, Smith. Subs not used: Marrison, Drury. Booked: Smith (40) – handball, Anson (65) – ungentlemanly conduct, Greenwood (105+1) – foul on Stevens.

REFEREE: Marvyn Amphlett (Kidderminster).

ATTENDANCE: 652.

Goal Log:

0-1 Smith (8) – beat Khela in the box and then threaded a shot between defenders and past Young into the bottom corner.

0-2 McMahon (49) – was afforded too much space in the area to pick up a cross from the right and fire home with a tidy finish.

1-2 Stevens (63) – popped up in the six-yard box to side-foot in to the roof of the net off a cross from the right flank.

2-2 Adams (80) – got on the end of Cowan’s excellent swinging ball from the left and volleyed past keeper Sollitt.

3-2 Vermiglio (105+2) – Naylor played a free-kick from the left side back to Moore on the edge of the area and his firmly struck shot deflected off the midfielder’s head into the top corner.