Blyth Spartans 3 AFC Telford 0 - match report

AFC Telford United's proud unbeaten away record had to come to an end some time - but the manner of this reverse took some believing.

Shocking errors from the usually dependable Ryan Young gifted hosts Blyth Spartans their first and second of three goals.

And Telford's night would end in farcical misery as midfielder Phil Trainer got his marching orders when booked for a foul and then for dissent before play re-started.

It had all looked like it would be so different during a bright opening 25 minutes dominated by the men from Shropshire.

Winger Phil John had carried the biggest threat, twice going close to breaking the deadlock.

The former Fleet and Didcot man was only denied by the woodwork with a superbly struck free-kick that had keeper Dan Lowson beaten but came back off the bar.

Moments later Lowson was earning his crust for the Spartans, diving low to his right to tip away a crisp strike from John that seemed destined for the bottom corner.

Blyth had scarcely got close to the Bucks' box, let alone threatened a goal, but all that was to change on 26 minutes as they took a shock lead against the run of play.

Robert Dale's cross from the right channel looked a simple collection job for Young, but he let it slip from his fingers and home skipper Paul Brayson gratefully accepted the gift. It was a goal that gave the hosts a visible lift, so their second 'freebie' courtesy of Young really was a killer blow to Andy Sinton's men.

This time the keeper shanked what should have been a routine clearance straight to Brayson and the striker skilfully bent the ball into the bottom corner.

Sinton had a go in the second half, sending on loan winger Lee Smith and forward Alex Meechan in a new-look 4-3-3- formation.

But the hosts were now well on top and it was no surprise when they finally added a well worked third.

This time Brayson played a role in the build-up, playing a neat pass to Nicky Deverdics, who laid it off for Michael Tait to produce a super finish - a helpless Young blameless.

The Bucks opted too often for the long ball in hope rather than belief as they waited for a change in fortune that never came.

Their lack of discipline was encapsulated by a ridiculous red card for Trainer, who was first booked for a foul but refused to take his punishment quietly and was immediately shown another yellow card.

In recent years Glenn Tolley, Martyn Naylor, Gavin Hurren and Sean Evans have all been sent off for Telford while playing at Blyth - but none of them were as foolish as this.

It was a bleak ending to a bleak night at what now seems well established as the Bucks' bogey ground.