AFC Telford 0 Southport 1 - Match analysis

After three weeks of respite, the haunting spectre of the relegation zone looms large in AFC Telford's line of sight once again.

Telford are becoming a difficult team to beat these days, as Braintree, Lincoln, and Alfreton will testify after the Bucks notched three games without suffering defeat, conceding only one goal into the bargain.

But that was no longer the case on Saturday, as they gifted a goal to a Southport team which climbed back into the play-off spots after a 1-0 win, before the Bucks wastefully spurned the chance to level matters from the penalty spot.

• See pictures from Telford's loss to Southport

First, goalkeeper Ryan Young spilled a weak corner into his own net after 50 minutes. Boss Andy Sinton was quick to deflect blame away from Young, instead blaming Sean Newton for failing to clear the cross, and the full back was again on the end of fans' ire when he blasted a 74th minute penalty high over the crossbar.

Sinton was forced to ring the changes due to injuries, the suspension of Ryan Valentine after last week's red card at Alfreton, and loanee Jon Brown being ineligible to face his parent club.

He introduced six new faces from the team that drew in Derbyshire, setting up in the favoured 4-4-2 formation.

After a dour opening period in which chances appeared very rarely and neither goalkeeper was stretched, the game burst into life after half time.

Southport emerged the stronger of the two teams, and quickly set about testing Young's handling.

After James Ellison tumbled theatrically under a Dan Preston challenge on the edge of the box, Tony Gray's free kick was palmed away by the home keeper.

But the resulting corner, which should have been cleared from the six yard line, bounced out of the Young's hands and into the net.

The Bucks stopper was called into action again on 54 minutes, palming away dangerous winger Shaun Whalley's effort.

The resulting corner was then turned away from goal on the line, before Young atoned for his costly earlier error with a smart double save, first pushing away Whalley's shot and then the follow up header from Will Akrigg.

Gray then fired wide after the home defence fell asleep at a corner, before another free kick brought another save from Young.

The game began to shift back towards Telford with the introduction of Kyle Perry for the ineffective Dwayne Samuels, as the Bucks found more space and possession.

Yet they were handed a golden chance to level from 12 yards.

The linesman's flag brought the spot kick, punishing Akrigg for a high foot which met Perry's head as he attempted to clear his lines in the box.

After two Sandgrounders players were booked in the following melee, Newton stepped up and ballooned the ball over the crossbar and into the home fans.

Sub Perry was by far the most threatening Bucks player, and broke into the box again moments later, but his effort was blocked by a resolute man in yellow.

The game became increasingly bad-tempered and referee Amy Fearns struggled to keep a lid on emotions, particularly when a ferocious challenge by Ryan Brooke planted Whalley into the advertising hoardings.

The Oldham loanee was booked for his part in the incident, and was maybe lucky the card wasn't a different colour, as Fearns dashed to the scene of the incident with the purpose and poise of a referee set to brandish a red.

Eventually, she did pull out a red card but for a far more bizarre incident.

Substitute Ray Puterill charged into the area to pointlessly close down Young's throw out to one of his defenders, and collapsed to the ground clutching his face after plunging his head into the keeper's swinging hand.

As the two squared off, Fearns darted onto the scene waving a red card, which Southport boss Liam Watson later explained was for spraying water at the stopper.

Young almost atoned for his earlier mistake in the dying stages, catching a dropping ball sweetly as he pushed forward to help find an equaliser from a corner, but his strike was deflected to safety.

Telford are now one place above the drop zone and face two tricky ties against teams with good away records in the next week.

Thom Kennedy