All the talk this week will be of Harrow Borough and the famous FA Trophy semi-final of 1983.

Then, as now, the Bucks found themselves two goals down after the home leg – only to dramatically turn it around seven days later.

It is an Everest-sized mountain that Telford have to climb at York if they are to fulfil their Wembley dream.

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Yet tales of what was achieved 26 years ago should only serve as a reminder that nothing in football is impossible.

It would help if boss Rob Smith could get a break at Kit Kat Crescent – and actually be able to field a truly competitive team.

He was always up against it for the first leg on Saturday, with injury and suspension robbing him of key players and the luxury of attacking options on the bench.

Right-back Lee Vaughan is a pivotal part of the Bucks’ set-up and striker Danny Carey-Bertram’s goals have been a big factor in the run that has brought them this far.

For both to be missing – Vaughan through suspension and Carey-Bertram with a hamstring injury – was a bitter pill for the hosts to swallow.

On the bench, Telford could only name three first team squad players all returning from long-term injuries, a youngster with virtually no experience at this level and a retired goalkeeper.

With such limited options, it was important they got off to a good start – they didn’t.

York City were slicker on the ball, sharper in their movement off it, and thoroughly deserved to take the lead just 10 minutes in.

The goal was a peach of a finish from Simon Rusk, though the way he was able play a short corner with Andy McWilliams then fire in unchallenged betrayed a Telford defence that was not switched on to defending the set-piece properly.

From there the tie could have been all but dead-and-buried by half-time, with Richard Brodie twice going close. He headed wide with the goal at his mercy then drew a fabulous save out of keeper Ryan Young off a screaming 25-yard shot.

Telford improved markedly after the break, but still didn’t ask enough questions of the York rearguard.

And they were caught out again when Mark Robinson crossed and substitute Onome Sodje, with his first touch, laid the ball off for Ben Purkiss to score.

A two-goal margin was probably a fair reflection of the game, though it really should have been one – with Lee Moore inexplicably having a perfectly good goal disallowed by bungling referee Steve Cook.

The man in black had already incensed the Telford fans in the first half, awarding York a free-kick in the first half when keeper Michael Ingram had been knocked over by one of his own team-mates.

His second half error was far worse though, Ingram spilling a cross under no pressure and Moore hooking the ball in from close range only to have his celebrations cut short for a non-existent foul.

The referee said afterwards Moore had fouled the keeper, yet no-one else saw this alleged challenge – the York players didn’t even appeal and photographic evidence shows the keeper rising alone to claim the ball.

On such fine margins are dreams realised or shattered – and Telford would surely have had much more hope had they been able to travel north next weekend just one goal adrift.

As it is, they will make that journey more in hope than expectation of a famous triumph.

Yet they have little to fear from a York side who are big and strong, but certainly no better than the likes of Kettering, Cambridge or Burton – all Blue Square Premier teams the Bucks have beaten this season in knockout competitions.

And the message from Rob Smith and all of his players is one of defiance: It’s not over yet!

By Chris Hudson