Solihull Moors 0 AFC Telford 1 - match report

If ever there was proof that AFC Telford United could mount a serious title challenge then this was it.

Under the cosh for 70 minutes the Bucks displayed, grit, determination and endeavour to cling onto a one goal advantage given to them mid way through the first half by Alex Meechan to sneak three points and climb to second in the Blue Square Bet table.

And it was another clean sheet for a side who are as miserly at the back as Solihull Moors were profligate in front of it.

The hosts missed a series of chances in a game they had much the better off - finding Telford stopper Ryan Young in fine form.

The Bucks number one, back after a one game suspension, made several splendid saves to keep his side's unbeaten start to the season intact.

It's eight games without defeat now for the Bucks who have conceded just three goals so far this season. And with a defensive record like that one goal at the other end will more often than not prove enough.

And so it was, as Meechan's smart finish after excellent build up play from Jon Adams and Andy Brown, divided the teams.

"The first 20 minutes we were the better side by a mile but we seemed to take our foot off the gas.

"The performance was probably our poorest of the season and arguably a draw might have been a fair result.

"But a win is a win and I'm pleased."

You wouldn't have known Telford were going to be in for a tough afternoon by the way they started the game.

Resplendent in all yellow the Bucks attacked with plenty of vim and vigour in the opening stages,

Meechan went close as early as the sixth minute before Phil Trainer sent a left footed effort just wide.

The Bucks got the breakthrough their start deserved on 19 minutes. Jon Adams collected possession on the left and his deep cross was knocked back across goal by Brown for Meechan to sweep in from close range.

The goal seemed to spark the home side into life and they came close to a leveller on 27 minutes.

A fluid Solihull counter attack saw Junior English, a constant thorn in the visitor's side, send Adam Cunnington racing through on goal. Telford keeper Young came out to meet the forward but could only succeed in diverting the ball to his strike partner Matt West — who saw his effort cleared off the line by Shane Killock.

English and Adams then traded chances before Young saved well with his legs from Ryan Beswick. The resultant set piece caused chaos in the Bucks' box and Will Salmon's attempted clearance could have gone anywhere but his sliced effort ended up in the hands of Young as Telford preserved their slender advantage.

The second half saw more of the same, and on 56 minutes Solihull came the closest yet to an equaliser. Liam Murray's headed clearance fell as far as Cunnington who homed in on goal but saw his 15 yard effort brilliantly saved by Young and the loose ball, spinning back towards goal, rebounded to safety off the post.

Young was then called into action again to deny West before Cunnington sent a 25 yard effort over the bar.

At the other end chances were few and far between although Meechan came close to a second when his attempted lob was tipped wide by Singh.

As time ticked down the game became punctured by a series of fouls, with English perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch.

Having already been booked the midfielder steamed into Rodgers with a tackle so late that the referee had already blown for an earlier foul.

But the Moors midfielder managed to escape further punishment and Telford saw out the contest to continue their fine early-season form.

Match analysis by Alex James