Gloucester 2 AFC Telford Utd 2 - match report

It should have been a convincing victory to seal second place and set AFC Telford United up for the play-offs.

Instead, they blew a two-goal lead away to Gloucester City to leave them a point short of confirming their status as the Blue Square Bet North runners-up.

In fact, the Bucks ended up having to dig in to hold on for a draw as Gloucester built up a late head of steam - but boss Andy Sinton refused to be too dejected about the setback.

"The lads were coming off as if they'd got beat. But 10 days ago the champions came here and did get beat, and Gloucester have gone to Guiseley and got a point too," said the Telford chief.

"They're a side that is on the up. We've got a point and we're still in second so we move on and get the job done on Saturday."

The result must surely have grated for Sinton, though, having seen his side dominate the first half at the Whaddon Road ground that Gloucester rent from League Two Cheltenham.

It would be no exaggeration to say they could have been five goals to the good at the break, but they instead had to settle for just the one.

That was an own goal from Tigers defender Matt Coupe, who deflected a cross-cum-shot from Adam Proudlock into the net.

There were plenty more opportunities, not least for Greg Mills — who hit the post with a terrific curling free-kick from the left side of the box.

Gloucester keeper Kevin Sawyer certainly earned his money, with three decent saves to deny Carl Rodgers, Phil Trainer and the luckless Mills.

And Liam Murray thought he had scored in first half injury-time, only to see his effort headed off the line by well-place home right-back Tyler Weir.

But the Bucks went 2-0 up on 64 minutes, Sean Newton scoring with a rasping drive from the right edge of the box after Andy Brown had been bundled over by Matt Rose.

With Boston having already been held to a 1-1 draw at Nuneaton earlier, Telford looked at that stage to be on their way to confirming second in the table.

But they are not yet home and dry as a result of a spirited fightback from the hosts, which began with a true goal of the season contender.

Substitute Neil Mustoe had whipped in a corner from the right which was hooked away - but not, as it turned out, to safety - by Jon Adams.

Adam Mann met the ball with a mesmerising first-time volley from fully 30 yards out, leaving Telford keeper Ryan Young rooted to the spot.

It was Mann's first ever goal for Gloucester - but if he goes on to score another 100 it will be unlikely any will be better.

And it certainly lifted the hosts, who now began to pile on the pressure and duly drew level 14 minutes from time.

Where the first had been terrific, the second left questions to answer for the Telford defenders.

Will Morford did well to chest down a flick-on from Darren Edwards and his finish was clinical, but the Bucks should surely not have afforded so much space to the Gloucester man just eight yards from goal.

Telford will be glad the damage didn't get worse and the home side still had time to see one decent penalty shout rejected when a shot from Mustoe struck Murray on the arm.

The Tigers fans taunted their Shropshire visitors with chants of 'See you next year' and 'You're going to lose in the play-offs!'

But the Bucks - despite this minor hiccup - still look the best bet in a play-off field where no one side is going in showing fearsome form.

CHRIS HUDSON reporting