A Danny Carey-Bertram goal proved decisive as AFC Telford United sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy with a famous victory at Kettering this afternoon.

The prolific marksman’s 23rd minute strike was all that separated the sides in a tense encounter at the A-Line Arena.

The Bucks produced an excellent first half and defended resolutely after the break to dump their higher-ranked hosts out of the competition.

It was Telford’s second cup victory over the Poppies in less than a fortnight, having also beaten them in the Setanta Shield at the New Bucks Head.

They will now be in the hat for Monday’s last eight draw – knowing they are just two wins from Wembley.

The Bucks started brightly, causing their hosts problems down both flanks.

Carey-Bertram fired over off Lee Moore’s flick-on after eight minutes and Liam Blakeman was then denied by a superb block by John Dempster.

It was no surprise when Telford did finally take the lead on 23 minutes, Kettering failing to clear a corner and Moore’s shot being cleverly back-heeled past goalkeeper Lee Harper by Carey-Bertram.

The Blue Square Premier hosts rallied with a series of corners but could not break down a solid defence, the closest they came before the break being an Exodus Geohaghon shot that sailed high over the bar.

Poppies boss Mark Cooper acted at half-time, removing veteran striker Jason Lee and introducing Jean-Paul Marna in his place – a decision greeted with ironic cheers by the home fans.

The change did little for the performance though, and Kettering continued to look strangely lethargic.

The Bucks did find themselves defending deeper and offering less as an attacking force, but rarely looked like conceding an equaliser.

A Craig Westcarr free-kick seemed to sum the hosts’ afternoon up – 22-yards out and in a central position, it looked a decent opportunity. But keeper Ryan Young was able to stand and watch as the ball drifted harmlessly wide.

Telford chief Rob Smith made his first change of the game inside the final 10 minutes, bringing on former Kettering striker Matty Lewis for Carey-Bertram.

And the Bucks survived some late pressure to keep their Trophy dream alive.