AFC Telford 3 Darlington 3 - Match analysis

You just sensed it was coming. In a compulsive game that ebbed and flowed there was a feeling that when the ball dropped to Darlington substitute Danny Lambert with eight minutes remaining there was one more twist in this gripping tale.

And so it was, Lambert's superb volley ensured the points were shared in a breathless encounter that no side really deserved to win.

The contest was littered with errors as both teams struggled to maintain possession and focus. This led to entertaining viewing for the neutral as the two strugglers attacked at will with careless abandon for their defensive duties.

• Watch the highlights from Telford's draw with Darlington

It started as early as the ninth minute. Chris Sharp, impressive all day in the home attack, ghosted into the box to slot home a Ryan Valentine free-kick and hand the Bucks an early lead.

That defending was poor but it had nothing on the Quakers' equaliser nine minutes later.

Telford had several good opportunities to clear a bobbling ball inside their own six-yard box but took none of them allowing Drewe Broughton to stab home from four yards.

Alan Hansen would have had his head in his hands.

In between those two goals were further chances for the visitors. Ryan Bowman flashed an overhead kick wide after Ryan Young, who felt he was fouled, failed to claim a cross before the Bucks shot-stopper redeemed himself when he clawed away Aaron Brown's 16th minute free-kick.

The home side were struggling to get going and it was no surprise when the visitors capitalised on some more generous defending to take the lead.

Broughton turned Chris Blackburn 25 yards from goal and fed strike partner Bowman. He ghosted past Shane Killock with far too much ease, wandered into the penalty area and slotted past a helpless Young into the corner of the net.

The shock of being behind seemed to wake the Bucks from their slumber and they almost conjured up an instant response with a move of real quality. Kyle Perry flicked the ball into the path of Sharp who fed Phil Trainer in the box but his first time effort was brilliantly kept out by Jordan Pickford in the Darlington goal.

There was still time before the interval for visiting midfielder John McReady to mis-control with the goal at his mercy as an absorbing first half ended with the Bucks behind.

Seven minutes after the re-start they were level though and again it was down to defensive errors.

There seemed little danger when Paul Johnson knocked the ball back to his keeper Pickford but the stopper, with Richard Davies closing in, made an absolute mess of his attempted clearance presenting the Bucks midfielder with a chance he gleefully took.

Telford now had the bit between their teeth and Jon Brown saw a 25-yard free-kick deflected wide before Sharp failed to get enough power behind a rushed effort on 57 minutes.

The third goal did arrive on the hour though. Darlington thought they had a counter attack on with two against one but Telford's one, Ryan Valentine, kept his composure on halfway before releasing a raking 50 yard pass out to Sharp on the left side.

The frontman did really well to keep it in play and deliver a cross which was met six yards out by Trainer who steered his side in front.

Darlington manager Craig Liddle responded by introducing teenager Lambert from the bench and the youngster served notice of his intent with a rasping drive that Young did well to keep out at his near post.

But there was no stopping his effort eight minutes from time. Telford failed to clear a corner and Killock's header dropped to Lambert 20 yards from goal and he expertly volleyed his first ever senior goal to earn a share of the spoils.

In fact, Haydn Hollis almost won it for the visitors but he headed over while unmarked in the box.

Defeat would have been harsh on Telford who played their part in a hugely entertaining encounter that left them four points clear of the drop zone as they inch towards safety.

As Andy Sinton said at the full-time whistle: "It wouldn't be Telford if it was easy."

Alex James

See also:

• Andy Sinton calls for AFC Telford defensive consistency

• AFC Telford 3 Darlington 3 – in pictures