So who’s knocking the Setanta Shield now, then? Certainly not one of the incredible 801 Telford fans who followed their team down to Gloucestershire.

Not many, either, among the thousands of television viewers the length and breadth of the UK who will have watched the gripping penalty shoot-out drama.

And definitely no-one in the AFC Telford squad or Boardroom, who were all celebrating a magnificent (not to forget profitable) night that will live with them forever.

Derided in some quarters as a ‘tinpot’ competition that was getting in the way of the club’s main objectives, it has now presented them with a first ever trophy.

Those watching Setanta’s coverage of the game on their TVs did not see the Bucks at their best.

This was not a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination – but their fans will care not one jot after seeing keeper Ryan Young become the hero of the hour in a dramatic shoot-out.

Young, who had also made important stops in regulation playing time, saved all three of Forest Green spot-kicks after the game had finished goalless.

Jon Adams, Mark Danks and Gavin Cowan all scored for Telford to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Boss Rob Smith had kept his promise to mix and match his line-up, bringing Indy Khela, Emeka Nwadike, Steve Jagielka, Danks and Lee Moore into the starting line-up.

With Jagielka playing in an advanced position off Brown, and Danks and Moore providing width, it was a side that offered attacking potential.

Yet it was Forest Green who bossed the game from the start – and quite how the scoresheet remained blank by the half-time interval was something of a mystery.

Telford carved out a decent opportunity inside the first minute when Nwadike headed wide off a good free-kick from Jagielka. But they never got as near again, with Rovers looking far the stronger of the two sides.

The Bucks were hindered by a suspension for regular left-back and stand-in Cowan – more accustomed to playing in the centre of defence – made his job even harder as he picked up an early booking.

The hosts proceeded to attack in waves, with Adriano Rigoglioso and Andy Mangan getting the chance to try their luck from distance repeatedly.

Stuart Whitehead and Khela at the heart of the Telford defence also made several important blocks as the pressure grew.

Lee Vaughan briefly offered a threat at the other end with a well-struck volley that dipped just over, but it was soon back to business as usual.

It was Mangan who went closest to breaking the deadlock on 42 minutes, making a forceful run forward and then striking a shot that Young did well to tip around the post.

Smith obviously saw the need for changes, and the introduction of Jon Adams and Matty Lewis at the break certainly helped.

Adams, in particular, gave some zip to the midfield as the Shropshire side finally began to make some sort of impression on the game.

Indeed, they could have gone ahead just short of the hour mark when Adams released Danks and his cross was flicked on by Lewis for Nwadike to steam in with a diving header which flew inches wide.

Forest Green were far from a spent force though, and they created their best chance up to that point just a minute later when Curtis McDonald forced Young into another good save and Alex Lawless fired the rebound against the crossbar.

The home side had much of the play in the final 20 minutes too, though the Telford defence was resolute and committed, and fully deserved to take the game to penalties.

The first spot-kick, by Managan, hit Young in the groin area as he guessed right with his dive.

The second, by Conal Platt, was also saved diving right. Substitute Paul Lloyd took the third and Young was spot on again, saving to his left this time.

With Adams and Danks having confidently buried the first two for Telford, it was left to Cowan to hammer the final nail in Forest Green’s coffin.

That sparked scenes of jubilation among the travelling hordes who now must just love the Setanta Shield.

And now that they have a taste for winning, don’t bet against them returning to defend it next year . . .

By Chris Hudson