Never has a manager sounded so upbeat after a game his side failed to win, writes Alex James.

But AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton’s words of praise after this 1-1 draw sum up the feel-good factor around the New Bucks Head that not even a stubborn Blyth Spartans side could take away.

The visitors did return to the north east with a point however, from a game which, on another day, Telford would have won with something to spare.

In the end the hosts had to settle for a draw with Andy Brown’s second penalty of the afternoon cancelling out Paul Brayson’s opener – handed to him on a plate by a howler from Bucks midfielder Phil Trainer.

Heads could easily have gone down at that point but this new Telford are made of stronger stuff and they roared back into the game.

“There was only ever going to be one winner all day,” said Sinton.

“The came and put nine men behind the ball and unfortunately we’ve given them something to hang on to.

“But there’s nothing to be disappointed about there. We’ve dropped two points but the performance level was top drawer.”

The game began evenly with both sides struggling to create chances. Telford relied on a long distance shot from Liam Murray, while Blyth’s only effort of note came from midfielder Neal Hooks and was comfortable for Daniel Platt.

Home keeper Platt, making his first start for the club, could have been forgiven for thinking it was all too easy but he was given a rude introduction on the half hour.

When the ball bounced to Trainer 25 yards out there seemed to be little danger, but Telford’s most impressive player so far this season inexplicably choose to try and head the ball back to Platt, instead finding only Spartans striker Paul Brayson, who rounded the keeper and tapped home.

There was some confusion when assistant referee Lisa Rashid raised her flag, seemingly under the impression a Blyth player got a touch on Trainer’s header, but after consultation referee Simon Barrow awarded the goal.

Undeterred, Telford continued to play easy on the eye football in search of an equaliser and after Spartans’ Robert Dale handled in the box, Brown had the chance to level from the spot, but the striker was off target.

There was still time for Greg Mills to extend Cunningham’s reach with a curling effort and Carl Rodgers to fizz a thunderous 30 yard drive just over before the half time whistle.

Telford were finally level four minutes after the re-start, Brown making no mistake from the spot second time round.

“There was no doubt I was going to take that penalty,” said Brown.

“It was a bit of blow to me to miss because I hate missing penalties because I see them as goals to add to my tally so I was devastated. But any person worth his salt will step up and give it another go.”

Once parity had been restored Telford went hunting for a winner. But for all their huffing and puffing they couldn’t blow the Blyth house down.

The Bucks had the ball in the net on the hour but Trainer was ruled to have fouled keeper Cunningham when heading in Sean Newton’s cross.

And the visitors could have pinched all three points on the break — squandering two golden opportunities to win it.

First Stephen Turnbull got away down the left and as Platt came to narrow the angle, squared for strike partner Brayson who’s effort was cleared off the line by Newton.

Then, nine minutes from time, full back Phil Cave found himself in space on the left and his cross presented Turnbull with an open goal but the striker somehow missed the target from four yards.

With that went the last chance of the game and the unbeaten Telford bandwagon rolled on.

Next stop Solihull.