Stuart Whitehead (right) fends off Gainsborough's Glynn Hurst

Telford skipper Stuart Whitehead emerged unscathed from his return to first-team action as the Bucks won 1-0 at Gainsborough.

"Stuart's return showed just how much we've missed him," boss Rob Smith told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"No disrespect to Jimmy Turner, who's stood in for him well, but Stuart's a different class."

It was Whitehead's first start of the season, after being sidelined by a troublesome knee injury.

The central defender missed the pre-season build-up, and then spent a week of intensive rehabilitation at Lilleshall.

"I'm delighted to have him back," Smith added.

"He was tired afterwards, but we'll rest him this week ahead of the bank holiday programme."

Telford face two holiday games - at home to Ilkeston, and then away to Gloucester.

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