'Desire and passion': Kevin Wilkin hails impressive AFC Telford United after comfortable victory

The Bucks moved back into the play-off positions with the victory, closing the gap on their visitors. Macclesfield started the game with a four-point advantage over Wilkin’s men, but were no match for a committed Bucks’ side, who tore into the visitors from the off.

“The way we started the game was terrific”, said Wilkin. “I said to the boys before we went out, try to see every moment there's an opportunity when we're in and around their penalty area. Remi (Walker) has put a great ball in there to force the corner; it’s really difficult to deal with. 

"The purpose with which Jamie (Meddows) then puts the ball in, I think Oliver (Cawthorne) gets a touch on it. There's a real desire and a passion to get on the end of things, and so we start the game in terrific fashion.”

Cawthorne’s third goal of the season, after just three minutes of play, didn’t immediately put the Bucks in command. Macclesfield went close to levelling as both sides went at full tilt; however, Adan George’s perfectly-struck goal after 21 minutes stretched the lead and from then on, the Bucks dictated affairs.

Wilkin shared that his half-time team talk had emphasised staying in control, saying: “I think Macclesfield came into it then and had one or two moments flash across our box where they can possibly say that they should have done better. The second goal was terrific, a combination between Ammar and Adan, a great ball, just sliding it down the side and a terrific finish.

“It's a nice position to be in, two-nil at half-time. We said at half-time, about making sure that we were chunking the game and not allowing Macclesfield to get any head of steam up. I thought the lads were brilliant at that tonight, fighting and battling against the ball. They (Macclesfield) are a good side, with lots of good players. You can see why they've done so well in the FA Cup and are doing so well in the league, so for our lads to go toe to toe, I thought they were exceptional from minute one.”

Bucks keeper Josh Gracey extinguished the one real moment that Macclesfield found in the second period, denying Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, and while Wilkin acknowledged that there were occasional lax moments, they were hugely outweighed by the positives.

“There's one moment there where Josh is called into action," said Wilkin. "We turned the ball over a little bit easily; they got in for a moment, and he came up with a save for us. Again, he's been brilliant, and as you say, the whole lot, subs getting off the bench, it's a real… I’m not saying it’s a complete performance, but it's a really solid performance against a fantastic outfit, and it sets us up for looking forward to Saturday now.”

The Bucks capped the performance with a third goal in second-half stoppage time, when Macc skipper Paul Dawson, who endured a torrid evening, conceded a penalty, halting George as he went through on goal.

George tucked away the spot-kick, and Wilkin confessed to being especially pleased for the striker. George now has 13 goals despite missing two months with an injury and starting only 16 games. The 23-year-old has had to be patient, but injury to top scorer Matty Stenson has thrust him into the leading role again.

“It's nice to score a goal right towards the end and delighted for Adan, who lost his way a little bit on Saturday (at Scarborough) on a difficult surface and in difficult circumstances," added Wilkin. "He's a young man who's learning all the time. He's got two goals there for us tonight, it’s great for his confidence, and I hope he drives us forward.”