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Southport 0-1 AFC Telford United
FA Carlsberg Trophy - Quarter Final Replay. 
writes Steve Humbles.
see more pictures

A superb second-half display from AFC Telford United, crowned by Carl Rodgers' dramatic goal just nine minutes from time, saw the Bucks secure a famous FA Trophy victory over Southport at Haig Avenue.

Telford were up against it after Lee Vaughan was controversially red-carded before half-time, but Rob Smith's men refused to lie down and produced a gutsy display in the second-half to stun the home side,

Southport made the more composed start and Ryan Young made a good save to deny Steve Daly after Telford had lost possession in midfield on 24 minutes. For the Bucks, Rodgers headed over from Liam Blakeman's corner on 28 but on the half-hour Young was again called into action to save Kevin Leadbetter's strike.

The Telford goalkeeper turned creator on 38 minutes when his long clearance found Danny Carey-Bertram in space in the Southport box, only for the striker to prod wide of Tony McMillan's goal. Then, a nervy game burst into life on 40 minutes as Vaughan and Leadbetter clashed on the touchline. The Southport man appeared to hold Vaughan to the floor during the altercation but referee Rushton administered a straight red-card to Vaughan whilst only cautioning Leadbetter, giving the Bucks a proverbial mountain to climb in the second period.

To their credit, Telford's ten men were in a determined mood as the Bucks' defence - superbly-marshalled as ever by Stuart Whitehead and Gavin Cowan - dealt admirably with all their hosts could throw at them. Blakeman - on his first return to Haig Avenue since leaving last summer - fired narrowly over from a free-kick on 66 minutes whilst Leadbetter forced Young to save on 76.

Then, with just ten minutes remaining, the introduction of the returning Andy Brown proved to be an inspired move by Rob Smith as the striker set up the crucial goal with his first touch. Blakeman was hacked down around 25 yards from the home goal and after Jon Adams had lofted the resulting free-kick to the back-post, Brown looped a header back across goal for Rodgers to bundle the ball over the line on 81 minutes and send the travelling support behind the net into ecstasy. The Bucks then defended solidly in the closing minutes to snuff out any chance of another Southport comeback, and with it ensure that it is Telford who will face York City over two legs for a place in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Final.

AFC Telford United: 1. Ryan Young, 2. Lee Vaughan, 3. James Meredith, 4. Gavin Cowan, 5. Stuart Whitehead (c), 6. Liam Blakeman, 7. Jon Adams, 8. Jamie Vermiglio, 9. Terry Fearns, 10. Danny Carey-Bertram, 11. Carl Rodgers. SUBS: 12. Steve Jagielka, 14. Jimmy Turner, 15. Indy Khela (for Vermiglio 46), 16. Jarred Stevens (for Carey-Bertram 90), 17. Andy Brown (for Fearns 80)

Referee: Mr Steve Rushton (Stoke-On-Trent)

Attendance: 895

Pictured above: Carl Rodgers scores the match winning goal and below Jamie Vermiglio celebrates with keeper Ryan Young.