Pictures and analysis of Stockport 2 AFC Telford 2

It was widely billed as a 'six-pointer' in the days leading up to AFC Telford United's next assignment.

And it probably felt like five points, rather than two, dropped at the final whistle for Andy Sinton's beleaguered side.

The 2-2 draw which they eventually had to settle for against Stockport County was a fair reflection of an open and even game between two struggling sides.

But, having put themselves in pole position twice and maintaining a slender lead into stoppage time, Telford simply should have won the game.

And it would have been a much-needed win against one of their main relegation rivals, who started the game inside the drop zone, just a place and a point below Telford.

The Bucks have let leads slip before this season and it's vital they do not dwell on this latest disappointment with a game against Wrexham to play tomorrow.

But, in the circumstances, this result was a real sickener. It took three inspections before the Edgeley Park pitch was passed as playable following overnight downpours.

And there were several mis-placed passes early on on a greasy surface, as both sides started at a high tempo with three forwards each in their starting line-ups. But there was also plenty of skill on display in an entertaining game.

Stockport enjoyed the upper hand in the first half with forwards Connor Jennings and Tom Collins, and midfielder Matt Mainwaring, all causing problems for the Bucks, particularly on the counter-attack.

Jennings and Mainwaring both headed inviting chances wide in the opening 25 minutes while right-back Andy Halls hit the side-netting from close range.

But Telford also had their chances and Jake Reid was particularly impressive on his first competitive start since August.

The former Newport County man nodded wide from a corner in the opening two minutes and then fired straight at Ian Ormson after beating two defenders on 10 minutes.

He was also involved in the Bucks' best move of the half, prodding Steven Leslie's low centre out to Phil Trainer who curled just wide from the edge of the box after 29 minutes.

Telford had to withdraw Richard Davies for Nathan Rooney after half an hour though, the midfielder picking up an ankle injury.

And the Bucks had to survive a succession of corners before half-time with Jon Nolan firing just inches wide from long range four minutes before the interval.

But manager Sinton replaced James Spray, who had been playing on the right wing, for Jon Brown at half-time, and Telford settled better after the break.

Reid missed the target seven minutes after the restart, slicing Trainer's cut-back wide. But Trainer made no mistake in the 68th minute, firing Telford in front after Kieron St Aimie's shot had been blocked.

It was the finish of a man confident in his own goal-scoring ability. Unfortunately, the Bucks seem far less confident in their ability to hold a lead and the hosts leveled just two minutes later.

Telford have struggled to defend corners in recent games and it was from another flag kick that the equaliser arrived after Jennings was given space to turn and shoot at the near post.

But credit should be given for the way Telford responded and Trainer rattled the crossbar from Leslie's right-wing cross with 17 minutes remaining.

Another Sinton substitution paid off when Luke Hubbins nodded in with his first touch, from another dangerous Leslie cross with 11 minutes to go.

That should have been enough to give Telford their first league win in nine games, but that nasty habit, so often seen in struggling sides, of defending progressively deeper reared its head again.

And Hobson was given far too much space in the box in the third minute of stoppage time, his heavily deflected shot bouncing past Ryan Young off Dan Preston's outstretched leg.

It was a cruel blow for the visitors but, as has been the case in previous games, it was also self-inflicted.

Like the Wrexham game before it there was plenty to admire in this performance in terms of attitude and effort, as well as some impressive passages of play from the Bucks.

But against another side also woefully short of confidence and form – Stockport had lost their last five in the league prior to Saturday – this was another missed opportunity.

By Matthew Viney