AFC Telford 2 Nuneaton 1 - match report

In front of more than 3,000 ecstatic AFC Telford United fans, manager Andy Sinton made a big promise.

As the cheers rang around the New Bucks Head he took to the microphone to give an emotional address to the crowd.

"I'm so proud of the players and I'm so proud of the fans," he said, to rousing cheers from three sides of the ground.

"I'm so proud of this club and we ARE getting promoted."

Guiseley might have something to say about that in next Sunday's final at the New Bucks Head but the Bucks should go into that one with belief and confidence.

A rousing half hour in the first half was effectively what saw them past Nuneaton - not to mention that late, late equaliser in the first leg last Tuesday.

The visitors started well and certainly had the best of the second half, with Telford hanging on at times.

But, from the 16th minute, when Jon Adams headed the Bucks in front for the first time off a Sean Newton corner, they were to enjoy a spell of domination that has taken them to the cusp of promotion.

It was a terrific header from Adams, who was wheeling away in celebration before the ball had even hit the net.

And more chances then came in quick succession as Telford looked to put the tie beyond doubt.

Richard Davies went close to making it two on the day as he skied a shot after a miskick by Adam Proudlock.

Davies was given a shock chance in place of Phil Trainer - unavailable because of a family wedding in Cuba but whose absence was kept a closely guarded secret so as not to tip off Nuneaton.

What would have been less of a surprise was the goal threat of the Telford top scorer Andy Brown, who formerly turned out for the Warwickshire side.

Brown was denied a second goal when his goal-bound shot struck defender Gareth Dean flush in the face after ex-Buck Simon Forsdick had cleared a Carl Rodgers header off the line.

The pressure was mounting and Telford finally made it 2-0 when they were awarded a penalty just two minutes from the break.

It came when Adams found space in the box and let loose with a rasping drive, only for Richard Lavery to be judged to have handled on the line.

The verdict enraged the visitors, who surrounded the referee to voice their protests - and the clamour went on so long that it was a full two minutes before Sean Newton was finally able to lash in from 12 yards.

At that stage it looked all over, though Telford had the Easter Monday trip to Gloucester as a recent reminder that a two goal lead is never conclusive.

They blew their advantage that day to settle for a point and must have feared something similar when Danny Spencer headed in off Kyle Storer's free-kick on 56 minutes to halve the deficit.

There was a hint of controversy again, with Spencer having won the free-kick for what had looked a strong but clean tackle by Newton.

Telford were by now playing on the break and came closest to a killer third goal when Rodgers drilled wide off Brown's cute lay-off.

But Nuneaton continued to look the most likely, keeper Ryan Young saving from Storer and Forsdick in the final stages.

Telford's fans had to endure seven minutes of injury-time before finally hearing the final whistle to signal the start of the celebrations.

And there can be no doubt they are worthy finalists.

Four times this season they have faced Nuneaton and they have remained undefeated through the lot.

They have beaten Guiseley twice as well - if they can just make it three then Sinton's promise will have been kept.

Match analysis by Chris Hudson