Stalybridge 0 AFC Telford 1

It was a hard-fought victory sealed with a super goal - yet dozens of AFC Telford United fans were not even there to see Phil Trainer's 29th minute winner.

Travel chaos reined on Saturday, making the journey to the north Cheshire town of Stalybridge a tortuous and frustrating experience.

If an enforced detour as a result of a closure on the M56 was not enough, a multi-car pile-up on the M6 made sure that a healthy chunk of the away support did not arrive until half-time.

They missed a bright first period in what was a decent advert for football at Blue Square Bet North level.

Stalybridge - the division's only full-time team - may be languishing in the lower half of the table, but Jim Harvey's men played some super stuff at times.

Indeed, they could rightly have felt aggrieved to be heading in for their half-time cuppas a goal down, having created more chances against a re-shuffled Telford team.

Sinton named a bold attacking line-up - shrugging off injuries to first choice strike pair Andy Brown and Alex Meechan by calling on Adam Proudlock and handing a first start to Northern Ireland international James Lawrie.

If that was not a signal of intent, then the inclusion of two out-and-out wingers in Greg Mills and Phil John was a clear message to the hosts.

Yet Harvey's side showed they can play as well, causing particular problems down Telford's left flank with Glen Rule and Adam Kay the chief architects.

They actually had the ball in the net within 30 seconds of the whistle, though a clear foul on Shane Killock in the build-up was rightly penalised by referee Simeon Lucas.

Striker Phil Marsh, with 10 goals to his name already, found the side-netting off one fierce cross from Rule as the home side started much the brighter and carved out a series of clear chances.

In the 25th minute Kay had an effort blocked by Killock before Wilkinson wasted a golden chance by firing the rebound over the bar.

Telford had their moments too and had a seemingly clear penalty turned down when Derby loanee Mills was pulled back by Wilkinson as he closed in on goal.

Yet any indignation over referee Lucas' refusal to blow up for that was soon forgotten as Telford took the lead within a minute.

And what a goal it was too, Lawrie showing super vision to find Proudlock and the former Wolves man picked a peach of a cross that Trainer converted with a terrific header.

It seemed that might have been the catalyst for Telford to really take over but it never quite happened.

Andy Sinton's side always looked in control in the second half but didn't grab the game by the scruff of the neck in the way they did earlier in the season, in games such as away at Gainsborough, for example, where they went on to score five.

There were flashes of inspiration, including two decent efforts from Trainer - the second coming at the end of another fine passing move.

The nearest they came to doubling the lead was when Stalybridge centre-back Alan White almost dribbled Lawrie's cross over the line, the Celtic defender only just managing to gain control in the nick of time.

The hosts rallied in the closing minutes and applied a fair amount of pressure but Telford's exemplary defence, which has conceded just one goal away from home all season, held firm.

It made for a happy journey back to Shropshire - and kept hopes alive that Telford's return to the top flight of non-League football will not be delayed another season.

Match analysis by Chris Hudson