AFC Telford finally see off Chester on penalties
It took extra-time and penalties, but AFC Telford United held their nerve in a FA Trophy replay at Chester to get the Steve Kittrick era off to a winning start.
The Bucks, who were watched by their new manager last night, battled back from a goal down to draw 1-1 in normal time.
And two fine saves from goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge then allowed midfielder Sean Cooke to slot home the winning penalty for a 4-3 win.
There were three changes from the starting line-up that went down 4-3 at home to Eastleigh for tonight's first round clash.
Defender Neill Byrne handed the Bucks a defensive boost by returning to action after a month-long lay-off due to an ankle injury.
In midfield, Sean Cooke was promoted from the bench, as was striker Sam Smith, while hat-trick hero Tony Gray, midfielder Godfrey Poku and Andy Todd dropped out of the starting line-up.
Chester's John Rooney was the first to try his luck and he was not far away with a decent effort from the edge of the box five minutes in.
Kingsley James also went close with a curling shot from 20 yards out following a swift interchange of passes around the Bucks' box.
At the other end Andy Owens lashed a chance just wide on nine minutes.
Chester's Ben Henegan should have at least hit the target with a header from an unmarked position two minutes later after Bucks full-back Kyle Brownhill had lost his man in the box.
Steve Burr's side got the breakthrough on 14 minutes when Heneghan escaped his marker to slot home at the far post from a corner.
And Rooney gave Bucks goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge a real scare with a rasping long-range effort which fizzed just wide a minute later.
Telford managed to weather the storm and they gave Chester an uncomfortable moment when Cooke whipped in an excellent corner which went across the face of goal untouched.
Adam Farrell went close to a leveller from 20 yards with a low drive wide just after the half-hour.
Andy Owens's wayward drive high over the bar was the last action of a first half in which the home side too often looked one step ahead.
The Bucks needed a significant improvement in several areas after the interval and they raised the tempo early on.
Cooke again caused problems with a testing corner-kick delivery on 51 minutes, which goalkeeper Jon Worsnop did not deal with effectively. At the other end Craig Hobson failed to beat Hedge after showing quick feet to open up space for a low shot on the turn.
Farrell failed to hit the target when he miscued from a well-placed Brownhill corner with 19 minutes left.
He was replaced with 15 minutes remaining and the substitute, Tony Gray, made an immediate impact as Sam Smith nudged his low drive past Worsnop for the leveller just a minute later.
Peter Winn went close to an 83rd-minute Chester winner with a terrific free-kick which looped just over the bar.
But Gray almost snatched the victory for the visitors with a sharp header which just missed the target two minutes later.
The Bucks looked the sharper in extra-time and two minutes in Cooke flashed just over from a promising position.
Peers almost stole it for the hosts with two minutes remaining but his near post effort was deflected wide and it came down to penalties to split the teams in the end.
Higgins, Gray, Owens and Cooke were all on target for Telford while James and Peers missed for the Blues.
