Matt Blair made his home debut after signing from Redditch

AFC Telford United's Blue Square North play-off chances took a knock as they lost at home to one of their main promotion rivals Stalybridge Celtic.

Stalybridge hit the game's only goal on 20 minutes when Dave Hankin's cross was deflected in by Shane Killock.

But Telford came so close, three times hitting the woodwork after the break.

Stuart Whitehead headed against a post, and powerful shots from both Damian Reeves and Steve Thompson rattled the Stalybridge bar.

Telford now drop out of the play-off pack to seventh place, but are still level on points with Droylsden and Stalybridge, the two teams above them.

But all the teams around Telford have games in hand on the Bucks, who only have six matches left. And, 10 months on from their failure in the Blue Square North play-off final, Telford boss Rob Smith is none too optimistic.

"It would take a miracle now," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "We've left it too late."

Telford gave a home debut to Matt Blair after he signed from Redditch United until the end of the season.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version