Pictures and analysis of Harriers 1 AFC Telford 0

The teams ran out after half-time to the theme tune from the movie classic the Great Escape.

And if Telford are to avoid the drop this season, it may well require a finale just as dramatic as any of Hollywood's finest works.

Their 1-0 defeat to play-off contenders Kidderminster Harriers again summed up why the Bucks are in the bottom four – and just how difficult it will be to get out of it.

They lacked any real cutting edge or creativity going forward, and while the defence held firm for the most part at Aggborough, a costly lapse in concentration cost them a share of the points.

There was again plenty of effort on display, although this performance did not reach the highest of the Bucks' two previous outings, but quality when it mattered was again severely lacking.

And with none of their relegation rivals in action last night, Andy Sinton's side missed another great opportunity to turn up the pressure on their fellow strugglers, who all have games in hand.

The Shropshire side's nasty habit of conceding early almost reared its ugly head after just four minutes last night when Kyle Storer's left wing cross caused momentary panic in the Bucks' box.

The ball was eventually hacked away to safety but the visitors were soon back on the defensive.

Former Telford defender Lee Vaughan was a particular threat on the right flank but was unable to find the killer final ball despite several promising runs.

The swirling wind whipping round Aggborough led to mis-placed crosses at both ends in a scrappy opening half hour.

But Telford almost took the lead against the run of play when Jake Reid saw his low effort deflected off Cheyenne Dunkley.

The shot beat Harriers' keeper Danny Lewis but glanced just wide of the near post.

At the other end though Storer smashed a rasping 20-yard drive at Ryan Young, who was possibly unsighted in a crowded box, but he instinctively made the save low to his right.

That effort aside though, Kidderminster had not really threatened enough in the final third and it appeared Telford may well be capable of frustrating them as they had done to their last two opponents.

But, as has unfortunately been the case far too often this season, the Bucks' hard work was undone by one moment of inattention.

With centre-back Dan Preston and right back Will Salmon caught too far forward, Vaughan clipped a simple ball over the top and Marvin Johnson raced in to exploit the space before slotting past Young.

With their brittle confidence again dented, a jittery passage of play followed for the Bucks and they appeared anxious to hear the half time whistle.

But, in stoppage time, Nathan Rooney almost found a spectacular equaliser when his thumping 30-yard free kick just whizzed over the bar.

It was a close as Telford would come to an equaliser as Steve Burr's side monopolised the chances after the break.

Nathan Blissett wasted arguably the best chance of the game when he fired wide from all of eight yards within15 minutes of the re-start.

And despite the introduction of winger Luke Hubbins and new on-loan striker Richard Peniket with 30 minutes remaining, it was still the hosts who continued to carry the greater threat.

Hubbins was not far away with his first touch, a shot on the rebound after a Gerard Kinsella free kick had been charged down.

And Reid sliced wide from a narrow angle as the game entered its final 25 minutes. But Blissett should have settled the game for Harriers four minutes later.

Young somehow pushed his close range effort wide though after Telford had been far too easily carved open.

Chey Dunkley then rattled the woodwork when his powerful header was tipped onto the bar by Young with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.

Hubbins and fellow second half substitute James Spray both earned dangerous free kicks for the Bucks in dying minutes.

But despite two decent deliveries from Kris Taylor it was inevitably the hosts who got to the ball first on each occasion to clear the danger.

There is no escaping the fact that Harriers are a very good side at this level, and this result in isolation would not be too bad.

But wins are now the only thing that matters for the Bucks, regardless of the opposition, and for the 16th straight league game they came up empty handed.

By Matthew Viney