Magnificent AFC Telford United today urged caution as they moved within 90 minutes of the Blue Square North play-off final.

Telford produced a fine display to beat Alfreton 2-0 in the semi-final first leg at the New Bucks Head last night, Emeka Nwadike and Danny Carey-Bertram the men on target.

That has put them in control ahead of Sunday’s return fixture in Derbyshire, but level-headed assistant manager Larry Chambers insists the job is far from done.

“It’s probably the first time in a big game like this – and I’m thinking about York in the FA Trophy this season and Barrow in the play-offs last season – where we’ve come out of the first leg in a good position,” said Chambers.

“It’s a nice feeling, everybody’s getting excited. We’ve had great support from the fans and everyone’s cheering but you have to remember we haven’t won anything yet.

“Two-nil can be a very tricky scoreline – if we go to their place and concede early on, it gives them the momentum.

“It was a good night and a good performance, but it’s only half-time in the tie.”

Telford’s celebrations were somewhat tempered by a late red card for midfielder Phil Trainer, who was alleged to have head-butted Alfreton right-back Matthew Wilson.

Play-off rules mean Trainer would be banned for three games with immediate effect, and the Bucks today declared their intention to appeal straight away.

A ruling on that appeal will be taken before Sunday’s second leg.

“I think it was a scandalous decision,” said chairman Lee Carter.

“I didn’t see any intent to head-butt their player and we will be sending a DVD to the FA.”

The game also ended on a sour note, with a huge bust-up between both sets of players taking place just outside the tunnel – which Alfreton boss Nicky Law blamed on Telford right-back Lee Vaughan.

“I thought he played well and then he spoiled it at the end, causing the fracas by spitting in someone’s face,” Law claimed.

“That’s the lowest of the low and there’s no need for that in society, let alone on the football pitch.”

Vaughan denied that allegation, insisting he had done no more than express his anger at being struck by an Alfreton player.

“Their lad elbowed me during the game, which I wasn’t too pleased about, and I let him know about it at the end,” he said. “But it was just handbags.”

By CHRIS HUDSON