Goal - Bucks keeper Ryan Young is left helpless as Lindon Meikle gives Eastwood Town a 1-0 lead

Danny Carey-Bertram’s late, late leveller was just purr-fect for AFC Telford United, as they used up another of their nine lives.

The Bucks’ season seemed to be crumbling before their very eyes when Lindon Meikle put visitors Eastwood in front with their only shot on target all night.

But substitute Carey-Bertram had the final say, scoring in the second minute of stoppage time to ensure Telford’s Blue Square North play-off flame flickers a little longer.

The former Hereford hitman finished so calmly after being set up by new signing Mark Beesley, whose loan move from Cambridge had only been completed in late afternoon.

And it was enough to bring a smile to the face of boss Rob Smith, who certainly believes there is still plenty for which to play.

“If we were a cat, we’d be on about our eighth life, but we’re still going,” said Smith.

“We’ve kept ourselves alive with that goal at the end and we’re still in there fighting.

“When they got their goal, it was like a knife in the heart because I don’t think our boys deserved that.

“We won’t know until the end of the season, but Danny’s might just be the goal that gets us into the play-offs.”

There were clear signs of nerves in the early stages, with both sides aware of the importance of the game as the end of the season looms ever larger on the horizon.

But it was Telford who showed all the attacking intent, with Eastwood always looking like they were content to play for a point.

The Bucks’ best chances came in the first half, and for once it was good goalkeeping and defending rather than any lack of killer instinct that cost them.

Eastwood were ripped open twice in the opening quarter of the contest, marauding midfielder Liam Blakeman the man on the end of both moves.

But he was denied first by the excellent ex-Chester goalkeeper Jon Danby, then by a super block from left-back Paul Riley.

Danby came to his side’s rescue again four minutes before half-time, making a fantastic reaction save to deny Carl Rodgers, who also headed over a Sean Newton cross soon after.

The second half saw Telford continue to pour forwards, their domination of territory and possession almost total.

But now a more familiar failing was coming back to haunt them, as they struggled to press home their advantage by creating clear chances.

The Badgers were happy to dig in, and new boy Beesley admitted it was frustrating to come up against such defence-orientated opposition.

“This game was penned in as a massive game, and I think the lads responded,” he said.

“I’ve only just met them and seen them play, but in my opinion they played some good football at times when they were allowed against a difficult, stubborn team.

“Eastwood were effective in the way they play. It’s not my idea of football, but it works for them.”

Beesley was actually guilty of missing two of the better chances Telford did create – first firing into the side netting, then flashing a shot across the face of goal off a corner.

Telford’s defence had looked watertight all night, with youngsters Shane Killock and Adam Dugdale keeping a tight rein on the Eastwood attack.

That meant the game appeared to be petering out into a goalless draw – until the late drama.

The visitors snatched an unlikely lead when Meikle pounced after former Telford man Emeka Nwadike’s shot from a well-delivered free-kick had caused confusion.

But, with dejected fans already heading for the exits, Danny Carey-Bertram capped his 15-minute outing off the substitutes’ bench by netting what could yet prove one of the most important goals of his career.

He justifiably celebrated like the cat that got the cream.

By Chris Hudson