AFC Telford United 0 Fleetwood Town 0

Match report by Sean Wozencroft

There were more groans of frustration at the New Bucks Head as AFC Telford United failed to break down struggling Fleetwood Town.

Full force booing was isolated this time, but it certainly wasn't the result that Bucks fans were looking for against a Fleetwood defence that had shipped 11 goals in five away games coming into the match.

Credit must go the visitors who, despite now only winning one from the first eight, were not afraid to push forward and restricted Telford to a handful of real opportunities - but their industry ought to have counted for nothing when the home side were awarded a second half penalty.

Terry Fearns took control from the eager Andy Brown and placed the ball on the spot, but confidence turned to despair when Michael Hale saved well to his bottom left.

Not that it was a terrible effort, but the pressure is mounting on top scorer Fearns, who has now failed to register in his last seven appearances.

Something is lacking in Fearns' game at the moment and the Telford management seemed to suggest afterwards that attention may switch to the raw Jarred Stevens for Saturday's match at Gateshead.

United may still have stolen the points in the 82nd minute when Lee Moore raced forward with Stevens and Steve Jagielka unmarked in support.

Falling short

Moore waited too long, though, and Stevens was inches offside by the time he was played through, a golden opportunity left begging.

These slim margins can be the difference between success and failure, and Telford are just falling short at the moment.

Fleetwood had the first chance of the game on six minutes when captain Jamie Milligan's curled effort from the edge of the area was clutched from the top corner by Ryan Young's acrobatics.

Telford did get a grip of the lively opening blows, Brown's hopeful smash across goal blocked for a corner on 17 minutes following neat exchanges by Jon Adams and Martyn Naylor.

A lack of communication then saw Fearns and Brown challenge for the same ball at the near post. Brown got something on it but was off target.

Man of the match Vaughan went into the little black book for a rash challenge but redeemed himself on 28 minutes with a crucial last ditch tackle with Nathan Pond ready to strike after Warren Beattie had played in the midfielder.

The Bucks should have gone into the interval ahead when Moore's pace earned a late corner.

Naylor's setpiece found Jamie Vermiglio, he scuffed his effort but still found Brown, but the striker also miscued from five yards allowing Hale to smoother.

United made a lively start to the second period, Brown trying an instinctive first time shot and Vaughan speculating from the edge of the area.

Then on 58 minutes came what was to prove to be the decisive moment, Ashton Bayliss conceding the penalty for climbing on Brown from Vaughan's cross.

Fearns' effort was firm and on target, but crucially unsuccessful and you wondered if that miss might prove costly.

Fearns was replaced by Stevens six minutes later and the former Birmingham City man might have done better with virtually his first touch, fluffing his shot wide after good battling by Vermiglio.

With legs tiring and gaps opening up in midfield, Fleetwood had their best period of the game.

Sloppy defending gave John Hills a sniff at the back stick from substitute Kieran Walmley's cross, Indy Khela doing just enough.

Tension increased amongst the home supporters and if anything Fleetwood looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

Milligan, excellent throughout and perhaps encouraged by hints of Young jitters, tried an ambitious shot from 30 yards before Khela just managed to prevent a wonder goal after Hills hard made a 50 yard charge through defence and midfield.

Moore tried his luck from 20 yards in injury time but it wasn't to be and two good results against Gainsborough Trinity in league and shield are all but forgotten.

Match Facts:

AFC Telford: Young, Naylor, Vaughan (Jagielka 71), Cowan, Whitehead, Khela, Adams, Vermiglio, Fearns (Stevens 62), Brown, Moore. Subs not used: Nwadike, Rodgers, Fitzpatrick

Fleetwood Town: Hale, Beeley, Dunn, Bayliss (Doughty 60), Mercer, Pond, Beattie (Walmsley 38), Milligan, Denney (Warlow 55), Bell, Hills,: Subs not used: Potts, Hurst (GK)

Attendance: 1805 (62 from Fleetwood)

Referee: P J Hobday