Pictures and analysis of AFC Telford 0 Hereford 4

A 4-0 defeat at home to Hereford United on the final day of the season was perhaps a microcosm of the entire campaign for AFC Telford.

The game started very promisingly before veering off-course and ultimately ending in comprehensive defeat.

After last weekend's morale-boosting 3-1 win at Ebbsfleet, the already-relegated Bucks were hoping to finish what has been a hugely disappointing campaign with the mini-flourish of back-to-back wins.

And for 39 minutes they looked like they were in with a decent chance of doing so.

There had been little between the sides in terms of possession but the hosts had carried the greater threat, albeit without making it count. A tame header by Aaron Williams, who was playing the last game of his loan spell from Walsall, and a sliced Nathan Rooney attempt in the opening 10 minutes gave Bulls goalkeeper James Bittner no worries.

But the Hereford custodian will have been far more relieved to see a follow-up effort by Williams flash just over his crossbar after 22 minutes.

The visitors had not dealt with a right-wing cross properly and Williams acrobatically fired the rebound just over from the edge of the box.

The Bulls handed makeshift right-back Marco Adaggio an even better chance two minutes later, when Ryan Valentine's cross was allowed to bounce in the box.

But the former Shrewsbury Town man also cleared the crossbar – albeit by a much closer margin – with a fierce drive from 10 yards.

At the other end, Sam Clucas forced a regulation save from Telford keeper Ryan Young, who tipped his goal-bound free-kick over the bar on the half-hour mark.

The teams may have been separated by 18 places and 32 points at kick-off, but at this stage the league's basement side were shading the proceedings.

But after spurning two decent chances to take the lead against a quality side, it was almost inevitable that they would be made to pay.

And they duly were when Clucas netted at the second attempt following a superb outside of the boot cross by Rod McDonald.

Clucas's initial header was saved by Young but the loose ball came back off the post and the same player was able to tap home at the second attempt.

It was a harsh blow and, after Williams had drawn a decent save from Bittner in response, the Bucks were applauded off at half-time following an industrious display.

But they found themselves 2-0 down inside two minutes of the restart after Clucas fired low past Young inside the box.

From that point on, the Bucks were facing a titanic struggle to get anything from the game.

The Bulls should have gone further ahead 12 minutes later when former Telford striker Chris Sharp missed from close range.

Sharp, who spent 15 months at the New Bucks Head before moving to Edgar Street in January, got goal-side of Phil Trainer but could not keep his shot below the bar.

The miss was met by jeers from a home crowd that booed the player throughout on his first return to Shropshire since the move.

Sharp, who appeared rattled by the reception, did little to endear himself to the crowd when he was booked following an altercation with Ryan Young and then committed a couple of silly fouls.

But it was another former Buck who dealt the next blow two minutes later.

Marlon Jackson, who made eight appearances for the club in two loan spells from Bristol City last season, fired superbly into the bottom left corner after pouncing on an error by Adaggio.

And Josh O'Keefe made it 4-0 with 17 minutes remaining after Clucas's shot had been parried by Young.

Telford substitute James Spray did go close to a consolation goal for the hosts with seven minutes left, before Jackson hooked a good chance wide at the other end just a minute later.

In the end, the Bucks were well-beaten and the result – the heaviest defeat of their campaign – will simply have added to the relief that an abject season is finally over.

A lap of the pitch was made by the players at the final whistle, to thank their supporters, and they were warmly applauded.

But a far better showing will be demanded next season when the Bucks return to action playing in non-league's second tier.

By Matthew Viney