Lincoln 3-2 AFC Telford - match analysis and pictures

The Bucks set an unenviable Conference Premier record with their 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Lincoln City.

But they also came agonisingly close to finally banishing their ever-growing winless run, in a dramatic game could have gone either way.

It was a high-stakes game for both sides, with relegation-threatened Lincoln City on the verge of slipping to the lowest level in their 129-year history.

And Telford started confidently, but Lincoln created the better chances. Jamie Taylor had already smashed a very good effort just over before Todd Jordan opened the scoring with a long-range howitzer.

It was a great strike but the Bucks had been given a chance to clear just a few seconds earlier when Jake Sheridan had hit the post. And interim boss John Psaras was angry that midfielder Nathan Rooney had allowed Jordan the necessary space to get his goalscoring effort away.

The Bucks then had to weather a first-half barrage as relegation-threatened Lincoln pushed for a second.

Only Phil Trainer's last-gasp tackle prevented Jordan from doubling the hosts' lead and Christian Smith then cleared off the line in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Telford were looking particularly vulnerable down their left flank and Ryan Valentine had to twice clear efforts from near the goal line from Sheridan and Tom Miller.

Ryan Young also showed great agility to deny first Tony Diagne's deflected effort and then Sheridan's 25-yard thumper.

But for all their ability going forward Lincoln were also looking very vulnerable in defence.

It took the Bucks nearly 30 minutes to muster a shot on target, a tame effort from Rooney.

But Steve Jones was far more clinical when he headed home Rooney's free-kick for his third goal in as many games.

It had come against the run of play but was also just reward for some dogged defending by the Bucks.

There was still time for Taylor and Andrew Boyce to fire just wide for Lincoln before the interval, and there was no doubt the hosts were the more frustrated side at half-time.

That feeling did not subside as Nathaniel Brown saw a powerful header cleared off the line by Valentine within six minutes of the restart.

Telford then stunned the increasingly vociferous Sincil Bank crowd when, for the first time in 2013, they took the lead.

Half-time substitute Steve Leslie turned the ball home from close range, from another successful free-kick routine with eight minutes gone.

There was a definite air of rising panic within the stands at this point as Lincoln, who started the match two points from safety, now really had to go for it.

Aaron Williams came within a whisker of increasing Telford's lead when he fired just over with 19 minutes remaining after good work from Spray on the left.

But the hosts were also unlucky when substitute Jake Jones saw his shot cleared off the line by Michael Briscoe with 15 minutes to go.

Just when it seemed that elusive win was in sight for Telford though, Taylor equalised.

Smith's powerful header was played back into the area by Boyce and, with the centre-back committed forward from the clearance, Taylor had space to smash home past Young.

It was a fair scoreline overall at this point but neither side wanted to settle for a point.

In a pulsating finish Valentine made three vital clearances and Young did brilliantly to deny Dali from close range while at the other end Williams missed a glorious one-on-one to seal victory for the Bucks.

Then with just two minutes of normal time remaining Taylor slotted home the winner, causing jubilant celebrations from a hugely relieved home crowd.

It is difficult to be too complimentary after this defeat, as despite a 2-1 lead with 14 minutes remaining the Bucks still ended up losing to one of the division's poorest sides.

But it was also a full-blooded, hard-working display by a team that, certainly in the last four games, has played with pride, spirit, and some attacking flair to boot.

By Matt Viney