DESPITE dominating possession for the vast majority of the game Celtic failed to end the hoodoo that has seen them fail to beat a Telford side since 1996.
The Celts will be kicking themselves at failing to see off a side that is not having the best of seasons and Steve Burr must be worried that his charges, so impressive away from home, have won just two of their last eleven games at Bower Fold.
On a treacherous afternoon it was the visitors, down the slope with the elements behind them, who started the brightest and the Celts were indebted to a flying stop from debutant keeper Dave Carnell on 19 minutes. The ex-Curzon stopper made a fine start to his career between the Celtic sticks, although the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award did flatter him slightly.
Celtic weathered the opening storm with little real alarm and took the lead on 33 minutes. Dave Hankin’s right wing corner found the Telford defence in a hesitant mood and skipper Keith Briggs bundled the ball home at the far post for his fifth goal of the season.
Matty Barlow almost doubled the lead seconds later with a speculative overhead kick that flashed just wide of a relieved Ryan Young’s left-hand post, while at the other end Jon Adams’ header was narrowly wide.
The second half saw the Celts exert considerable pressure on the Telford rearguard, but never really look like making the game safe.
Joe O’Neill rounded the keeper but lacked support, Warren Peyton flashed a 30-yard free-kick inches wide and O’Neill almost caught Young napping with an audacious backheel as the Celts strove for the insurance goal. Young also came to United’s rescue with a flying save from the impressive Michael Carr.
Ten minutes from time though the inevitable happened. Substitute Steve Thompson was allowed time and space to cross from the left and the unmarked Gavin Cowan headed home past the exposed Carnell.
O’Neill, Briggs and Peyton all had chances to win the game as time crept away, but in the end the Celts were left with a mountain to climb if they are to secure a trip to Nantwich in the first round proper.
