AFC Telford 2-2 Chester - match analysis and pictures

That the Bucks staged an impressive late comeback against Skrill Premier side Chester at the New Bucks Head to earn a 2-2 draw demonstrated as much.

But question marks are starting to emerge about their strength in defence after they shipped two very soft goals to find themselves 2-0 down with an hour gone.

The second period was barely three minutes old when Chester midfielder Jason Jarrett found half-time substitute Jamie Reed, who fired home unmarked at the far post to put the visitors in front.

And Reed then turned provider for Chester's second nine minutes later when his low cross was accidentally turned goalwards by Telford defender Neill Byrne.

Goalkeeper Ryan Young made the save but Craig Lindfield was on hand to snap up the rebound.

From there it looked as though Telford would suffer a second pre-season defeat as neither side created a great deal.

But while Watson was again pleased with the response of his players, much as he was in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Skelmersdale United, he was also left to lament defensive lapses of the type which will regularly be punished once the season gets under way.

Telford had started the game well and striker Tony Gray went close to an opener with a thumping free-kick from 20 yards out after Sean Clancy had been upended early on, but his effort flew just over the bar.

Chris Lever was next to try his luck after Matty McGinn's free-kick broke loose in the box, but he could only find the side netting on 17 minutes.

Robbie Booth created a decent chance for Dan Preston who could only head wide in a crowded box soon afterwards.

Booth was a proving a lively threat for Telford and he was again involved in another promising attack 11 minutes before the break.

His searing cross was cleared only as far as McGinn and his rasping volley was defected goalwards by Gray only for John Danby to make the save.

Neill Byrne then fluffed a sitter after mis-hitting Clancy's low cross deep inside the box.

At the other end Ben Mills and Seddon both missed headed chances for the visitors just before the break, the former hitting the post and the latter putting his effort over from close range.

The visitors finished the half in the ascendancy and they raced out of the traps after the break.

Young was called into two early saves, denying George Horan's firm header before tipping the corner which followed over the bar.

But Reed was not so wasteful a minute later as he broke the deadlock from close range.

Seddon almost doubled the lead within a minute of the kick-off but he found Young at his agile best to deny a powerful header.

But Lindfield took full advantage of a defensive howler as Neill Byrne to double the lead soon afterwards.

With the result now seeming a formality, both sides rang the chances as the game became untidy and uneventful for a time.

And second-half substitute Phenix almost made it 3-0 when his defensive header smashed off his own crossbar on its way over.

Phenix then had Danby at full stretch with an excellent shot on the turn late on which just evaded the target.

But Owens finally handed the Bucks a lifeline with a well-placed header from Booth's cross after 85 minutes. It seemed like just a consolation but Nathan Rooney's excellent defence-splitting pass then sent Phenix clear to get the goal his exciting performance deserved with three minutes remaining.

As with all pre-season games, the result was secondary to the workout and several players got game time again.

But Bucks boss Liam Watson will be keen to see his side tighten things up at the back before the big kick-off arrives on August 17.

AFC Telford: Young (Pryce 74), Lever, McGinn, Byrne, Preston (Rooney 60), Jackson (Benjamin 60), Booth, Moogan (Phenix 60), Owens, Gray (Bennett 74), Clancy (Farrell 55).

Chester: Danby, Kay, McIntyre, (Mahon 78), Horan (Menagh 63), Linwood, Harrison, Heath (Pugh 65), Jarrett (Williams 60), Mills (Reid HT), Seddon (M Williams 72), Lindfield.

Subs not used: Fearon.

Attendance: 565