It’s a good job today is a Bank Holiday, writes blogger Chris Hudson.

AFC Telford United fans would certainly have needed the extra 24 hours just to recover from the most nerve-jangling, tension-filled, exhilarating game of the season.

There will be supporters all over the town who woke up with sore heads this morning after a night of celebrating their place in the Blue Square North play-off final.

Yet there were several times yesterday afternoon when it looked like they were going to let a winning position go up in smoke.

Going into the game, Rob Smith’s side had led 2-0 from the first leg at the New Bucks Head last Wednesday.

But that advantage was obliterated by two Alfreton goals inside the first 16 minutes as the home side launched a ferocious assault on the Telford penalty area.

Goals from Danny Edwards and Danny Carey-Bertram turned the tide back in the Bucks’ favour before the break, much to the delight of the sensational 1,109 away supporters packed behind one goal.

Battle

But the Reds led twice more in the second half to ensure they were still in with a chance of at least taking the tie to extra-time right up to the final whistle.

In the end Alfreton had to settle for winning the battle but losing the war – claiming a 4-3 victory on the day but missing out on aggregate – in what was one of the most remarkable matches of this or any other season.

Telford were uncharacteristically sloppy in defence and lacked the bite in midfield that has inspired much of their success this season.

But those are concerns for another day as they ponder the prospect of a Friday night final in the far north at Gateshead.

It is a final that seemed to be drifting away from their grasp when Alfreton came out of the blocks so quickly and so dramatically successfully.

Their first goal came after a period of pressure, which had already seen Paul Clayton hit the bar.

An Ian Ross corner was flicked on by Matt Wilson and Tony Butler headed in off the underside of the bar to stun the visiting fans.

That came on nine minutes and, just seven minutes later, the Bucks’ lead had been wiped out entirely when Anton Brown’s scuffed shot from 12 yards found the bottom corner.

At that point Telford looked like they could crumble, but they were back in front on aggregate just two minutes later when Edwards pounced to score after Carl Rodgers had seen an effort well saved by keeper Stephen Dickinson.

Alfreton suffered a further blow just past the half hour when Butler, a rock at the heart of their defence, was forced off with a back injury.

The reshuffle that followed saw the Reds’ club captain Tom Curtis – usually a midfielder – come on to slot in at right-back while Wilson moved into the middle.

Curtis certainly looked unsure as Edwards advanced towards him shortly before the break and was given time to cross, Liam Blakeman steering goalwards and Carey-Bertram bundling it over the line.

Alfreton refused to buckle, and produced another twist in an increasingly engrossing tale as they got a third goal just five minutes into the second half – Clayton flashing a shot past Young.

But once again the Bucks responded and it was three-apiece on the day when Rodgers, unmarked at the near post, headed in another equaliser off Edwards’ corner just three minutes later.

Carey-Bertram might even have added a fourth for the visitors, his shot well saved by the keeper, before making way in a tactical change.

Jimmy Turner joined the fray as the Bucks opted to try and close the game down in the final 20 minutes.

Yet those ideas were in shreds when Turner’s first contribution was to concede a penalty when he clattered into Clayton, Anthony Howell burying the spot-kick to rack up the tension levels.

Substitute Steve Jagielka went close to yet another equaliser when he struck a shot from the edge of the box come back off the bar.

Alfreton also spied extra-time when Jordan Hall crashed an injury-time shot that flashed over the bar.

But Telford held on, their body language expressing relief as much as joy when the final whistle sounded.

They now have just one more hurdle to clear and, under the shadow of the Angel of the North, they will be shooting for the stars at Gateshead.

The Promised Land has never been nearer.