The unity of the AFC Telford United camp shone through a gloomy Manchester night as the visitors scored an eye-catching triumph.

Just three days earlier it had been a very different story, as on-field bickering between players had cast a shadow over a disappointing opening day draw with Blyth Spartans.

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Whatever the reasons for the feuding, it was all put to one side at a rain-lashed Stalybridge last night, as the Bucks raised their game and played as one.

“A lot was said between Saturday and last night between us,” said boss Rob Smith.

“I wasn’t happy on Saturday, and it wasn’t a happy dressing room – I don’t know if it was the heat or the frustration, but we were a bit narky.

“We’re a very tight squad, and I think sometimes we’re a bit too tight – we’re like brothers and sisters rowing with each other.

“I thought last night you saw that when we’re good, we’re very good.”

It was an open first half at Bower Fold, with chances at either end as both sides showed a willingness to take a risk going forward.

The Bucks were close to an opener on 11 minutes when former Stalybridge man Steve Torpey lashed a 20-yard free-kick which glanced off the top of the defensive wall and smashed into the post.

Midfielder Carl Rodgers seemed almost surprised to see the rebound drop at his feet and poked the ball wide.

Celtic skipper Keith Briggs almost broke the deadlock 10 minutes from the interval but his superb strike from long range drew an even better save out of Ryan Young, who – at full stretch – tipped it away for a corner.

Telford were ahead just four minutes later though, midfielder Liam Blakeman living up to his pre-season promise to be more aggressive in front of goal with a fabulous strike.

Last season the New Year champagne corks had been popped before the former Southport man registered his first goal, so it was very encouraging to see him off to such an early start this time around.

His control to bring the attempted clearance down was good enough, but the finish was magnificent, giving Stalybridge No 1 Paul Phillips no chance.

Blakeman, with confidence now visibly oozing, almost added a second on the stroke of half-time as he dribbled across the edge of the box looking for space then screwed a curling effort inches wide.

Telford looked the more likely of the two sides to trouble the scorers further, with stand-in skipper Gavin Cowan a particular threat from corners.

He headed agonisingly wide through a forest of players off a Torpey corner from the right just past the hour.

Then, only moments later, he rose highest again to meet a delivery from the same player from the other side and this time saw his effort cleared off the line by Andrew Smart.

The Bucks still looked like they needed the relative comfort of a second goal, and they should have had it when Danny Carey-Bertram was released in acres of space by strike partner Andy Brown, only for his shot to be saved with the legs by Phillips.

But they finished strongly with two goals in the last five minutes that put the cherry on the top of a tasty offering.

Two substitutes were the men to find the target, the first coming from Matty Nolan, who fired in from six yards off Lee Vaughan’s cross to register his first for the club.

And, in the second minute of stoppage time, midfielder Jon Adams made the points safe beyond all doubt with a simply sensational volley that had home fans applauding in appreciation.

“I’m really pleased with the reaction from Saturday,” added Smith, who was equally happy with the clean sheet.

“Jimmy Turner had a really poor game in the defence against Blyth and I was his biggest critic, but I thought he was absolutely outstanding last night.

“We had no weak performances at all, and the last goal was world class in anyone’s book,” he added.