Chambers hails 'best performance'

Larry Chambers hailed AFC Telford United's "best performance of the season" as they beat Cambridge United 4-3 in a Setanta Shield third round thriller.

Goals from Danny Carey-Bertram, Carl Rodgers and Terry Fearns (2) sealed a 4-3 victory at the New Bucks Head last night.

The result has earned them a place in the last 16 and extended their unbeaten run to 13 games ahead of Saturday's FA Cup first round clash with Southend United.

"I think we're making a bit of a habit of it in these Setanta Shield games," said assistant manager Chambers, whose side had previously won 3-2 against Gainsborough and 2-1 versus Solihull in the earlier rounds.

"There always seems to be a lot of goals in them and they're always quite entertaining.

"It's great to get a result and go through to the next round but it's the performance that gives us more pleasure than anything.

"I think we must have hit the post or the bar four or five times and we played some really exciting, flowing football.

"That's as well as we've played all season. For the last three or four weeks the lads have been getting better and better.

The Bucks will now keep a close eye on the draw for the next round, which will be made next week after all the third round ties have been completed.

But Chambers insists the competition remains a pleasant distraction rather than a major target.

"We've always said the league is our priority and we've got the FA Cup as well, but when the games come along we've always gone out to win them," he said.

Meanwhile, Telford plan to name goalkeeper Steve Taylor on the bench as cover for Ryan Young on Saturday.

With seven substitutes allowed in the FA Cup, Smith and Chambers have turned to the dependable Taylor, who has been turning out for Bridgnorth.

By CHRIS HUDSON