AFC Telford 1 Lincoln 1 - Match analysis

With injuries already mounting, Andy Sinton could really have done without anyone else picking up a knock against Lincoln.

But Saturday's game appears to have added two more names to the manager's casualty list after both Ryan Valentine and Michael Briscoe had to be replaced midway through the game.

Briscoe was clearly struggling with an injury towards the end of the first half and was replaced by Kris Taylor in stoppage time while Valentine had to leave just after half time being replaced by Jon Brown.

The extent of their injury woes was clear as, for most of the second half Jordan Rose was the only player in the back four playing in his natural position.

That Telford coped and battled back to get a point from the game under the circumstances is a credit to the versatility of the squad Sinton has established over the summer.

But in truth they were fortunate to come away with anything after being dominated for long periods of the game by a Lincoln side that started the day with even greater injury problems.

Lincoln should really have been two or three up at half-time having created and missed a handful of very good chances.

By the time Vadaine Oliver headed home Nicky Nicolau's left wing corner two minutes before half-time, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker had already twice come within inches of scoring.

He drew a good save from Ryan Young midway through the first half with a fierce long-range drive and then nodded past both keeper and post after beating Young to a high ball into the box soon after.

Oliver also appeared to have Young beaten with a dipping volley from outside the box which just flew wide.

Jake Sheridan also missed the target early in the first half after Will Salmon had given the ball away and Lincoln's top scorer Jamie Taylor did the same after Valentine also misplaced a back pass on the edge of the box early in the second.

The back four is causing Sinton some major headaches at the moment with injury to Chris Blackburn and Dan Preston's suspension limiting his options.

And they had to play much of the second half with only Rose playing in his natural position at the back following enforced changes.

But with Luke Hubbins missing due to a hamstring strain, there appears to be a lack of pace in the team going forward too, and for long periods the Bucks struggled to create chances.

One plus point to emerge from the game was the performance of new signing Darren Byfield, who impressed on his Bucks debut and enjoyed a good first half.

He was unlucky not to open the scoring when his turn-and-shot sailed inches over six minutes in. And he also showed another side to his game 14 minutes later when he played in Steven Leslie on the edge of the box only for Paul Farman in the Lincoln goal to make a fantastic reflex save.

His influence in the game faded late in the second half but he may well bring something different to Telford's attack.

Steven Leslie's crossing ability was also on display again on Saturday and the chance he carved out for Jones midway through the second half served as a reminder that he can change games for Telford this season.

His pin-point delivery found Jones unmarked at the far post but Farman produced another fantastic save to deny the striker's header and then his follow up rebound.

Telford kept pressing but it didn't look like they would find the killer ball needed to unlock Lincoln's defence.

However Phil Trainer popped up in the nick of time to turn home Will Salmon's deep cross after the Imps had failed to clear the ball.

It was a disappointing performance from Telford but in the circumstances the result is definitely a positive one, keeping them in the top ten of the league.

It's certainly a better point for the Bucks than Lincoln who have slipped into the relegation zone.

But Telford can't afford any more injuries if they are to avoid slipping towards that end of the table.

Matt Viney