Just when you think they’re heading in the right direction, along comes another painful slap in the face for AFC Telford United.

Optimism was slowly creeping back into the Bucks camp following a couple of encouraging league displays and an FA Cup victory at Worcester.

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But the doom and gloom was back with a vengeance on Saturday as they slipped to another depressing home defeat – their third in a row in the Blue Square North.

Southport were full value for the three points, and the margin of victory could easily have been even more convincing.

Nothing went right for the Bucks from the very start, their problems beginning when skipper Stuart Whitehead was forced off the pitch just three minutes in due to a cut above the eye.

Referee Andrew Hutchinson refused to allow the centre-back on until he was satisfied the flow of blood had abated and the cut was sufficiently covered.

It meant Telford had to cope for almost 10 minutes without their experienced leader, and they almost paid the price straight away as a stunning Matty McGinn volley came back off the bar.

Telford did manage to hold on until they were back to a full complement of 11 men, though they were clearly rattled.

Indeed the goals followed on quickly from Whitehead’s return, the first coming when a cross from the right was not cleared, Chris Simm getting past the still-struggling defender all too easily to score.

Five minutes later, Whitehead brought down Simm and Ciaran Kilheeney stepped up to convert his penalty with aplomb.

“We never recovered from a mad 10 or 15 minute spell when Stuey was off the pitch,” said boss Rob Smith.

“When he came back on he was all over the place and we were 2-0 down before we knew what hit us.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but it did put us off our stride and we never really recovered.

“When we’re not playing with great confidence already, it was always going to be hard to get back into it.”

Indeed, Telford never built up a head of steam that convinced anyone they could turn the game around.

Whitehead was replaced by Shane Killock at the break and the defence did improve, but the threat up front always looked toothless – even after Danny Carey-Bertram came on to make up a three-pronged attack.

It was Southport who actually had the better chances to add to the scoresheet – the best of them when they were awarded a second penalty with 17 minutes to go when Vaughan brought Simm down.

Keeper Ryan Young proved up to the challenge, diving right then sticking out a strong left arm to turn Kilheeney’s strike over the bar.

But if anyone hoped that might prove the catalyst for a late, great fightback, then they were to be sorely disappointed.

Telford looked a beaten team in the closing stages as the Sandgrounders saw out time with all too much ease.

And Bucks defender Gavin Cowan was not trying to make any excuses at the final whistle, as he gave an open and frank assessment of his side’s misgivings.

“They looked more at it than we did, more on it, and it looked like they had more desire,” said Cowan.

“The gaffer and Chambo (assistant Larry Chambers) can take us onto the training ground and do whatever they like, but they can’t put any spark into us – we’ve got to go out there and give it 110 per cent.

“Premier League players have the luxury of having quality, but at this level you have to have the work-rate, desire, passion before you even think about kicking a football, because we’re only Conference North players.”

The horrible truth is that they are hugely under-performing Conference North players – and it’s making for grim viewing.

By Chris Hudson