AFC Telford one win from Skrill North title - match analysis and pictures
One more win and we are champions – that's all AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson will be telling his players from now until Saturday.
It's back in the Bucks' hands; that's all Watson was hoping for and somehow it transpired despite the situation looking a lost cause early on.
The Bucks were chasing their tails, their aspirations of promotion in tatters with hosts Solihull Moors two to the good and cruising on their lush Damson Park turf.
League leaders North Ferriby United were only goalless at Boston United, too, so an opportunity to take command in the title race was going begging.
Then the tide turned. Telford pulled a goal back before the break and could even have been level by then.
Adam Farrell's penalty ratio became damaged by a second straight miss, along with one scored, from the last two games.
But – somehow, some way – it all turned out nice in the end in the tightest of challenges for the trophy, where 80-plus points may not be enough for the title.
It's been a give one to take one slug-fest between Telford and the Villagers at the top, stemming from when the two sides met on Humberside in January.
Watson's side kept the deficit to seven points, rather than double figures, and eventually claimed eroded the gap. They have been trading blows ever since.
This game of hot potato will reach its climax on Saturday and the only thing that is for sure is nothing's for sure. But it's Telford's title to concede.
There will be far more flutters to the heart of many in Shropshire before 5pm on Saturday. Once again, strap yourself in for the bumpiest of rides.
On this occasion, a nightmare start saw the Bucks go 2-0 down in 13 minutes, goals from Reece Fleet and Junior English leaving them absolutely shell-shocked.
Farrell was denied from the spot before Stuart Pierpoint's own goal got them back in it, Mike Grogan netting the all-important equaliser.
At the same time, North Ferriby imploded by losing at play-off chasers Boston United, allowing Telford to return to the summit for the fourth time this season.
They were handed a slice of luck with just five minutes gone when Solihull midfielder Richard Taundry, arguably their most capable performer, had to be replaced due to an ankle injury.
But any notion of benefit was dispelled a minute later when they went behind, Michael Taylor breaking on the left to cross for Fleet, whose effort looped over goalkeeper Ryan Young.
An immediate response was needed and very nearly came within two minutes through Tony Gray after the striker was found in the centre by Shaun Whalley's ball from the right.
But Telford were made to pay for the miss when, with just 13 minutes on the clock, Pierpoint's long ball forward from the back caused disruption.
Confusion between Young and captain Simon Grand allowed English to creep in between the pair of them and poke the ball into the net.
All eyes turned towards referee Sian Massey five minutes later when Farrell's header from Whalley's cross bounced off the arm of Rob Elvins. She ruled it unintentional.
On 20 minutes, Farrell couldn't quite reach a loose ball that surely would have ended up in the net with any sort of connection, Whalley's cross-cum-shot flashing across the box.
They did finally get a goal back in the 22nd minute; Whalley's cross was headed goalwards by Grogan and Pierpoint eventually steered the ball into his own net.
If that was fortuitous, Solihull goalkeeper Jasbir Singh nearly handed them an equaliser when he allowed Wes Baynes' effort to creep under him but away from goal.
Telford just couldn't seem to claim the leveller, even when a penalty came in the last minute of the first half when Gray's shot struck the hand of substitute Joshua Hawker.
Up stepped Farrell to take another spot-kick, after missing and scoring one at home to Gloucester City on Saturday, but Singh guessed correctly and claimed a low shot to his right.
Telford pressed again for an equaliser after the break when Whalley missed a sitter, Grand's ball from the back presenting the chance for him to chip the ball over Singh only for it to drop wide.
Parity was finally restored on 63 minutes when Whalley's corner from the left found Grogan, who had such a significant hand in the first goal, to launch himself at a header that crept past Singh.
It was nearly dreamland a minute later when Clancy shot inside the box, only for Singh to pull off a fine parry.
Gray was denied one-on-one with the keeper with 20 minutes left, the Solihull shot-stopper saving superbly at his feet.
Grand had to act at the other end in the 77th minute, hacking off the line from English's effort with Young committed and out of the equation.
Baynes had a hand in what could have been a winner with 10 minutes to go when Singh again intervened, Whalley nearly deflecting the ball home.
Whalley nearly blew a gasket at being replaced with seven minutes to go, with Russell Benjamin sent on to shore things up. It clearly shows he cares.
All was forgotten at the final whistle as Telford, fully aware of events elsewhere, knew they were back at the summit with their fate down to them. You can't ask for much more than that.
By Craig Birch
