AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan declared himself pleased with his side’s progress following a “stern test” against National League Premier side Notts County at the New Bucks Head.
A fiesty affair saw the Bucks 2-0 down just after the break before Aaron Williams pulled one back from the spot – but the visitors restored their two goal cushion after Wes Thomas beat the Bucks offside trap to make it 3-1.
Notts County had the lead just before the half hour mark. A neatly worked corner found Alex Lacey with a yard of space inside the Bucks penalty area, and the Magpies man made no mistake, slotted home first time from ten yards to break the deadlock.
The Bucks had caused problems from set-pieces during the opening spell, and could have levelled after Brendon Daniels far-post corner caused a mini scramble inside the County penalty area, but Williams was unable to find a way past County ‘keeper Sam Slocombe.
And just after half time Telford found themselves two goals behind when a cross from the byline was inadvertently flicked past Russ Griffiths by Courtney Meppen Walter.
But on the hour mark it looked as though there might be a way back into the tie for Telford, after Theo Streete was hauled down in the penalty area, and Aaron Williams made no mistake from the spot.
However Thomas fired past substitute keeper Ashley Rawlins to make it 3-1 to the visitors, although there was still time for some late controversy when James Hardy looked to have beaten the Notts County keeper with a point blank header, only for the referee to decide the ball had not crossed the line.
United continue their pre-season programme at Wrexham on Wednesday night in another behind closed doors fixture.