Shropshire Star

Rob Edwards: AFC Telford 'character' pleasing

Boss Rob Edwards has praised AFC Telford United after they 'showed a lot of character' to draw at Stafford Rangers in the FA Cup.

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The 1-1 stalemate means the two sides will go head-to-head again in the third qualifying round, at the New Bucks Head on Tuesday night.

The Bucks had Aaron Hayden sent off for a 'high hand to the face' after Richard Batchelor scored early on for the hosts.

John Marsden levelled in the closing stages and Telford chief Rob Edwards said: "It was full of incidents, pleased in the end.

"I have said to the lads that is half-time now and the job is far from done, we have to go again on Tuesday.

"When you are 1-0 down with 10 men, to score late on and stay in the tie is obviously important so I am pleased in that respect.

"I thought we had the majority of the play and the majority of the chances.

"They had a couple of decent ones when we were down to 10 men, but we got into some really good areas and did not make the most of them. That is frustrating.

"We have done a lot over the last week on our attacking play but that final ball was a bit disappointing.

"On the balance of what happened, circumstances, we'll take the draw."

Hayden was giving his marching orders after an incident with Rangers striker Richard Gregory.

Referee Thomas Parsons took his time to show the defender a red card, after consulting with one of his assistants.

On the dismissal, Edwards added: "The ref said it was a high hand to the face, it's something we'll try to look back at on the video.

"It was disappointing, I don't think we got many decisions. I thought we were up against it a little bit in terms of decisions.

"But the lads came back into it and they showed a lot of character."