They left it late – too late for the nerves of some of their anxious nail-chewing fans – but there was no doubting AFC Telford United deserved the three points.

It’s a result that gives them one foot in the Blue Square North play-offs, but it looked for long spells that it would not come.

The Bucks bossed the game but left it to the last quarter of an hour to finally rediscover their shooting boots.

Playing a fifth game in nine days, it was inevitable boss Rob Smith would again reshuffle his side in a bid to keep things fresh.

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One change was enforced, Lee Vaughan starting a two-match suspension with Martyn Naylor taking over at right-back.

Jon Adams was out injured, Liam Blakeman returning to the centre of midfield, while Indy Khela came in for rested captain Stuart Whitehead in the centre of defence.

Also recalled were fit-again Phil Trainer and Lee Moore, who operated on the two flanks.

Playing in a swirling wind that was largely on their backs in the first half, the Bucks created a number of opportunities and would have been frustrated not to go in ahead at the break.

Leicester loan man Ricky Sappleton picked out Moore with an early pass and the wide man stung the hands of keeper Curtis Aspden.

Sappleton also flashed a shot across the face of goal in what was a positive start from the hosts.

Trainer saw a shot go wide and Blakeman had another effort deflected for a corner as Telford continued to dominate.

In the last five minutes of the half, Carl Rodgers showed neat footwork to create space but then shot straight at Aspden, while Sappleton forced the keeper into another smart save.

Opportunities for Farsley were few and far between, arguably the best falling to Gareth Grant after a suicidal pass across the box by Gavin Cowan, James Meredith saving his defensive colleague’s blushes with a good block.

Lee Tuck also curled an effort wide, while Damian Reeves registered their only shot on target – straight at Telford No 1 Ryan Young.

Bucks fans only have to turn their minds back a little more than two weeks to know they cannot write off Farsley, however.

They lost 1-0 on that Tuesday night in Yorkshire and looked vulnerable after the break when the visitors were able to use the wind to their advantage.

They carved out a great chance on 64 minutes when Grant teed up Tuck, and it took a great stop from Young to keep the scoresheet blank.

But, just as tension was starting to build up around the New Bucks Head, the goal everyone in white and black craved finally arrived 15 minutes from time.

Naylor’s long throw, always such a potent weapon, proved the key – Sappleton flicking it over his head and Rodgers lashing it in.

Even then, Farsley did not roll over, Reeves wasting a golden opportunity to equalise just three minutes later when he blasted over the bar.

All nerves were eased in the dying minutes though, as substitute Danny Edwards latched on to Blakeman’s great pass and applied an ice-cool finish.

It’s a result that gives the Bucks a five-point cushion over Droylsden in the battle for the final play-off place.

That, with just three games to go for both sides, is an advantage they should be able to defend.

A crowd of more than 1,500 – a decent effort on a Champions League night and after so many games in such a short space of time – were certainly relieved.

Quiet for much of the evening, they really found their voice after Rodgers’ opener and roared their side on to the end.

Hopefully they will still have plenty more to shout about before this season is finally over.

By Chris Hudson