Pictures and analysis of AFC Telford 0 Wrexham 2

AFC?Telford United's second defeat to Wrexham in a week showed exactly what manager Andy Sinton needs to add to his squad in the transfer window.

As they had done at the Racecourse Ground on Boxing Day, the Bucks matched their high-flying opponents in terms of desire and effort as well as possession for large spells of the game.

They also managed to put the Dragons under pressure on several occasions, but they were ultimately undone by a better side containing greater game-winning quality.

For all their hard work, and there was plenty of that on display, Telford were unable to find the killer pass or the moment of quality needed to turn half chances into goals.

Conversely, Wrexham spent significant spells in both halves on the back foot but created the vast bulk of chances and produced two clinical finishes.

The hosts started the game brightly and appeared to have the upper hand early on as they pressed Wrexham high up the pitch.

The first decent opportunity fell to Jake Reid, after Steven Leslie's free-kick had fallen to Kieron St Aimie 10 minutes in.

The forward's shot was blocked but the ball eventually broke to Reid, who forced a decent save from Joslain Mayebi from close range. The hosts continued to play with plenty of energy and also some flair.

Luke Hubbins showed some great skills on the right flank while Jon Brown, who is emigrating to Thailand imminently, provided plenty of pressure in the middle of the park.

But, all too often, there was no end product, and Wrexham punished them after 24 minutes with a goal against the run of play.

Former Shrewsbury Town man Neil Ashton slipped past Jordan Rose and his ball into the box found Danny Wright, whose shot squirmed under goalkeeper Ryan Young at the near post.

From there Wrexham picked up the pace and Wright went close again 11 minutes before the break with a low drive which drifted just wide.

Telford finished the half well and St Aimie saw his back-heel shot cleared off the line from a corner in stoppage time.

St Aimie also hit the side netting from a tight angle four minutes after the restart, from Reid's lay-off.

But, while the Bucks retained plenty of possession, and worked hard to find openings, they did not commit enough men forward when attacking and Reid was often isolated when he received the ball in the final third.

Meanwhile, Wrexham continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Young did well to deny Wright twice as well as Nick Rushton and Johnny Hunt following slick attacking moves by the visitors.

Second-half substitute Adrian Cieslewicz, who replaced the injured Brett Ormerod after 56 minutes, finally wrapped up the points with an 85th minute header from Rushton's cross.

Telford's defending in the minutes leading up to the goal had left them exposed on their left flank and Wrexham ruthlessly exploited the opening.

Sinton had spoken prior to the game about the need to get tighter defensively and it was an area in which the Bucks again contributed to their downfall yesterday, as was their failure to capitalise on their periods of dominance in the game.

But it's difficult to be too critical of his side's display against a hugely talented side sitting second in the division.

And the Bucks did again show enough to suggest that they are very capable of beating the division's 'lesser outfits,' although they have struggled in this department so far this season.

This latest defeat leaves Telford above the relegation zone on goal difference. But it's the games against the teams around them will probably be the ones that decide their eventual fate this season.

By Matthew Viney