Saints come unstuck as Telford gain first victory

But it was his players who were caught cold in Monday’s Vanarama National League North clash at AFC Telford United.

Saints were swept aside in a powerful first half display as they set out to prove a point to new manager Rob Smith.

Brady said: “It’s so frustrating, to play as well as we did against Worcester City on Saturday and two days later produce such an ill-disciplined display.

“We knew it would be tough but again we’ve given ourselves too big a task by conceding early goals. We were all over the place in the first half and didn’t have a shot on target.

“But we changed things around and were a different side in the second half. Had Sam Smith’s penalty gone in, I’m sure we’d have got a draw because we had the momentum at that stage.”

Telford put the visitors under intense pressure with former Saint Izak Reid especially lively. It was no surprise when the home side went ahead in the 13th minute as Sean Clancy fired in off the post after good work by Reid.

Reid grabbed a second goal after a defensive mix-up in the 21st minute and Dan Crane twice saved well from Reid and Dave Hibbert who also hit a 30 yarder just wide.

Saints rallied late in the half and after the restart substitute Sam Smith controlled Greg Kaziboni’s cross and shot just wide while Ritchie Batchelor fired just over.

With 15 minutes remaining Batchelor was felled in the box by Jack Deaman who got his marching orders and Saints had a way back into the match. Smith struck his spot-kick to the keeper’s left but James Montgomery kept it out.

Moyo headed just over and had a shot blocked in added-time while Stephan Morley fired over but Telford held on to claim a deserved first win.

Meanwhile, Brady said Deon Burton has been released and Tom Sharpe has joined Worcester on-loan.