Bucks defender Shane Killock challenges Celtic keeper Dave Carnell at this Telford corner

For more than an hour it looked like AFC Telford United’s FA Trophy dreams would be washed away in a Manchester monsoon.

But, under ever-darkening clouds and a torrent of cold and miserable rainfall, it was Gavin Cowan who lit a beacon of hope for the Bucks with a headed equaliser.

Conditions at Bower Fold were certainly not for the faint-hearted, with the downpour that started an hour before kick-off getting ever worse as the afternoon progressed.

Stalybridge Celtic, now boasting just three defeats in their last 20 outings, were always going to prove tough opposition on their own patch in this third qualifying round contest.

But Telford did well to come from behind and were full value for the replay they have now earned back at the New Bucks Head tomorrow.

No mistake

They may even look back and be asking themselves: What if? What if Jon Adams had taken one of the multitude of chances that came his way early on?

He dragged an effort off a Liam Blakeman cross across the face of goal, then ran on to a square ball from Andy Brown but blazed over, before forcing Stalybridge keeper Dave Carnell into a save with a neat turn and shot.

What if they had defended John Hardiker’s corner on 33 minutes a little more convincingly?

The ball should have been hacked to safety. Instead, it bobbled out to Keith Briggs on the edge of the six-yard box and the home skipper made no mistake.

What if Carnell had not pulled off a great stop from Sean Newton on the stroke of half-time?

England C international Newton’s 30-yard strike seemed destined for the top corner, but Carnell did well to tip it away. An equaliser at that point might have changed the whole course of the tie.

“I thought we started the game well in the first 20 minutes, but it was the same old story,” said Telford’s assistant manager Larry Chambers.

“We had chance after chance after chance. Jon Adams probably had four good chances and he only worked the keeper once.

“Once they scored they were on top, even with the wind against them, and we went into our shells a bit. That was disappointing.”

Telford’s task got even harder as the second half got under way.

Now playing up the Bower Fold slope and with the wind and rain blowing in their faces, they also had to contend with the loss of leading scorer Brown.

He succumbed to a re-occurring groin injury and young striker Steve Thompson came on in his place.

The Bucks, to their credit, worked hard in the second period, though they rarely threatened a breakthrough.

Newton had been largely ineffective in his new left midfield role and the experiment was ended with just over 20 minutes to go as Danny Edwards replaced him.

Options

That seemed to give the visitors a lift and their attacking options were further pepped up soon after as Danny Carey-Bertram joined proceedings in place of Adams.

Chances at either end were scarce though, Telford’s defence coping well with the threat of Joe O’Neill and Matty Barlow.

But, with time running out and Stalybridge maybe starting to think the job was all but done, the Bucks proved it takes just one opening to score.

It was Thompson with a bright run down the right and a lofted cross that fell perfectly for the unmarked Cowan to confidently head past Carnell.

“I almost looked at the linesman to see if it was offside but I was just glad it went in because it had been coming,” said the happy goalscorer.

“I could have had 10 in the last four or five games but things haven’t been going for us.

“We didn’t want to be playing tomorrow, we wanted to finish it at their place, but we’ll try and get the job done back at home.”

Warren Peyton flashed a shot over the Telford bar in injury-time, but the Bucks otherwise held on with comfort to end on level terms.

Back on home turf they’ll be confident of progressing.

By Chris Hudson