AFC Telford 2 Corby Town 1

When the chips are down, AFC Telford United usually deliver.

They did so again on Saturday, coming from one down to book a place in the first round proper of the FA Trophy thanks to goals from Carl Rodgers and the impressive Jon Adams.

The eventual margin of victory should have been more comfortable but the fit-again Andy Brown, making his comeback as a substitute, was denied from the penalty spot.

That set up a tense finale, though it would have been cruel on the Bucks had an injury-ravaged Corby found a way to force a replay.

Telford have already suffered disappointment in the FA Cup this season, bowing out to minnows Buxton in a third qualifying round replay.

And it was clear in Andy Sinton's post-match reaction after edging out the Steelmen that he is determined to enjoy more success in non-League football's premier competition.

They certainly started as favourites on Saturday against a Corby Town team deprived of several players through injury - including their ex-Telford trio.

Asa Charlton and Richard Lavery had already been ruled out.

And goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie - who turned in a man-of-the-match performance in their 4-2 FA Cup defeat at Luton only three days earlier - was also forced to step aside for understudy Nathan Thackeray.

Yet if the Bucks thought they could take instant advantage of their opponents' misfortune, they were to receive a rude awakening.

It was actually the Northamptonshire side who snatched the lead off an 18th minute corner - Andrew Burgess whipping the ball in and Nathan Jarman flicking the ball in with the back of his head, possibly via a deflection.

The goal shook Telford who, for all their possession, were struggling to draw Thackeray into action.

Had they not got back on level terms before the break, it might have been a different story.

Instead, they equalised in the last minute of the first half, the chance coming when they won a free-kick wide on the left after Corby full-back Danny Pitham clattered into Greg Mills.

Loanee Mills would usually take the set-pieces from such a position but, as he was off the field receiving treatment, it was Adams who stepped up instead.

That proved fortuitous, the popular midfielder producing a peach of a ball that found Rodgers at the far post and he gleefully prodded in.

Confidence restored, the second period was bossed by the Bucks - who must have wondered how they didn't score a hatful.

Skipper Shane Killock twice went close to putting them in front off corners, his first header cleared off the line by Hall and the second flying just over.

Corby couldn't hold on forever and they finally caved just over 20 minutes from time.

Newton was the provider with a curling cross from the left and Adams got down well to angle a perfect header into the bottom corner.

Just five minutes later, Telford had a chance to hammer another nail into Corby's Trophy coffin when Mills, who terrorised the visitors' defence all game, was brought down by Gulliver inside the box.

The referee pointed straight to the spot but Brown, who had been on the field only 15 minutes, saw his effort well saved by Thackeray.

That might have been costly, and hearts were certainly in mouths when Corby forward Ben Mackey found room to turn his marker in the box.

His shot was goalbound but goalkeeper Ryan Young earned his pennies again with a super save.

Killock was also called on for a crucial late block to deny Stephen Diggin but, at the other end, Mills also went close twice.

Telford deserved to progress and, though there is a long way to go, can start to dream of Wembley.

Match analysis by Chris Hudson