AFC Telford are off the mark at the seventh time of asking

A maiden victory of the season at the seventh time of asking lifted the Bucks off the foot of National League North, with a solid away display on the North Yorkshire coast.

A disciplined effort with a remodelled formation and a Matty Stenson goal in the second half prised a victory away from previously free-scoring Scarborough.

Kevin Wilkin made three changes to the side that lost to Bedford on Bank Holiday Monday. A back three, with Orrin Pendley restored alongside Oliver Cawthorne and Zak Lilly, was the bedrock of the win. Mal Benning, the ex-Shrewsbury left-back, made his debut after signing the day before, and Louis Moult started as one half of a front two with Stenson.

The Bucks began with real intensity and purpose, and after an early save from Ryan Whitley, the best chance of the opening period fell to Moult in the 15th minute. A dropping throw-in found him unmarked on the right of the box, and his shot beat Whitley only to be blocked on the line by a covering defender.

Scarborough grew into the game through Mo Fadera, who caused problems cutting in from the left, but Oli Cawthorne produced a crucial block to deny his effort, and Lewys Benjamin was equal to further attempts from Fadera and Jack Waldron. Matty Stenson also went close, heading narrowly over from close range in the 38th minute.

Remi Walker had been forced off through injury just before the half-hour, replaced by Dylan Mitchell, while Scarborough's Alex Wiles - who had earlier clashed heads with Benning - failed to reappear for the second half.

In a tight encounter, the Bucks continued to look the more threatening side after the break. Cawthorne saw a lofted cross come back off the crossbar and post in the 62nd minute, while Stenson was denied by a smart save from Whitley after being sent through by Mitchell. The two collided in their commitment to the moment and Whitley needed treatment.

Lilly also went close with a header from a corner that he couldn’t keep down, before the breakthrough finally arrived. In the 78th minute, Stenson found space in the box and drilled a low finish under Whitley from the right-hand side - his fourth goal of the season.

The Bucks saw out the remainder of the game professionally, with Charlie Williams and Rio Owen introduced from the bench as Wilkin's side managed the closing stages. Owen might have thought he had added a second late on, rifling home after being played through by Mitchell, but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.

Scarborough pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time, with penalty appeals waved away by referee Luke Hood as Will Thornton’s angled shot following a long throw was blocked, but the Bucks held firm to claim a deserved victory.

AFC Telford United (4-3-3): Benjamin, Curley, Benning, Pendley, Lilly, Cawthorne, Fletcher, McLintock, Walker (Mitchell 33), Stenson (Williams 85), Moult (Owen 65). Subs not used: Hall, Lambert.

Scarborough Athletic: Whitley, Waldron (Weledji 46), Brown, Thornton, Hull, Purver-Hannan, Wiles, Colville, Hall, Allen, Fadera (Tear 78). Subs not used: Maloney, Stuttard, Pllu, Colley.

Referee: Jack Churchill.

Attendance: 1,471.