Stamford AFC lose to AFC Telford in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Manager Graham Drury admitted there were massive lessons for his Stamford side to learn after their home defeat to AFC Telford on Saturday.

The Daniels went down to a 3-1 home reversal in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash at the Zeeco Stadium.

Richard Gregory had given Stamford the advantage after an impressive start but they were pegged back before half-time by James Armson's leveller.

Two second half goals from Matt Stenson then sent Stamford to defeat as their three-match unbeaten league run came to an end.

Drury said: "There were massive lessons for us to learn.

"We were up against an experienced Telford side who might not have the legs like we've got but they never panicked when they went 1-0 down.

"We've gone and exposed ourselves when we were 1-0 up at home against a side which is going to be challenging for the title.

"We vacated the central areas trying to go gung-ho for the second goal and we can't do that against sides like Telford.

"They never chased the game at 1-1 but waited for us to make a mistake and then picked us off.

"We have to understand that, when we're up against the top sides, winning 1-0 is as good as winning 10-0."

The Daniels had handed a first start to recent signing George Hobbins, who was outstanding throughout, while Jack Duffy came back into attack for a Stamford side who were missing centre-half James Blunden through injury.

Just two points separated the sides in the league table going into the clash and both teams had periods of dominance in the first half.

Stamford started the stronger and bossed the opening exchanges before the Bucks grew into the contest as the half wore on.

The Daniels had an early penalty appeal for hand-ball turned down when Alex Gudger blocked Tendai Chitiza's attempt to get past the visiting centre-half but the referee waved away home appeals.

Duffy then saw a low shot safely gathered by Brandon Hall in the Telford goal before the visitors were forced into an early change as ex-Stamford player Ellis Myles went off injured after a crunching challenge with Hobbins.

Home goalkeeper Tom Jackson was down well to turn away a Remi Walker free-kick before Stamford struck the opening goal after 20 minutes.

Lee Shaw shrugged off the challenge of Jordan Cranston before surging down the wing and crossing for Gregory to sweep home his low centre.

The opening goal brought a strong response from the Bucks and they went close to levelling as Armson's flick on from a dangerous Cranston corner rattled the post.

The equaliser did then arrive on the half-hour mark as a strong run from Walker down the left saw Armson convert his cross from close range.

Jackson then did well to save at the feet of Walker to deny Telford a second goal shortly after as the visitors finished the half the stronger of the two teams without adding to their tally.

Hobbins hit a shot over in the first action of the second half before Telford took the lead 10 minutes after the break.

Gregory lost possession cheaply on the halfway line and a slide-rule pass released Stenson who slipped his shot past the advancing Jackson.

Stamford now needed to find a response similar to that of their visitors in the first half and Duffy just failed to connect with a dangerous cross from Shaw.

It was one of several dangerous centres from the home side in the latter stages of the game that just eluded the all-important final touch.

Telford then wrapped up the win with 11 minutes remaining as Armson was allowed a free run as Stamford tried to stretch the game in search of an equaliser and he teed up Stenson to score.

Walker hit the post late on for the Bucks after another mazy surge as the visitors ultimately ran out deserved winners.

Drury added: "I felt for the first 25 minutes that they couldn't live with us. They didn't know whether to stick, twist or gamble.

"Our movement was really good and passing sharp and they didn't know whether to close us down, sit in or anything.

"From us having all that, we should have been a lot more controlled and they've gone on to reap the rewards and we've lost the game."

The defeat drops Stamford down to fifth spot in the league table as they occupy the final play-off place.

Their next match is on Tuesday night at home to Boston United in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.

Stamford: Jackson, Marzano (Bartle), Hobbins, Burgess, Cooke, Offler, Chitiza, Morgan, Duffy, Gregory (Challinor), Shaw (Liversidge). Subs not used: Redfern, Frew.

Attendance: 487.