AFC TELFORD UNITED pulled off a shock victory in front of the live TV cameras by beating Forest Green Rovers on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the final of the Setanta Shield at the New Lawn last night.
It had been agreed beforehand that there would be no extra time, so they proceeded straight to a shoot-out.
Andy Mangan, Conal Platt and Paul LIoyd all saw penalties saved by Ryan Young.
Meanwhile, Jon Adams, Mark Danks and Gavin Cowan were all successful from the spot for the Shropshire side.
Rovers were certainly unlucky, but they lacked a cutting edge against their Blue Square North rivals, who were missing former Rovers striker Danny Carey-Bertram.
Jim Harvey’s side survived an early square as Emeka Nwadike headed wide from a Steve Jagielka free-kick. Rovers responded with Adriano Rigoglioso and Lee Fowler going close. Paul Stonehouse was forced to limp off before the break. Rovers came close to a breakthrough moments before the break with Mangan and Rigoglioso firing in shots.
Alex Lawless hit the bar after the break after Kaid Mohamed’s effort was parried.
Hartpury College and Shortwood United midfielder James Baldwin entered the fray with three minutes to go. The game went into penalties and with it Rovers failed to find the killer touch to allow the Shropshire side to claim the silverware.
FOREST GREEN: T. Burton, J.Smith, M. Preece, D. Jones, P. Stonehouse (C.McDonald 41); K. Mohamed (P.LIoyd 62), A. Lawless (J.Baldwin 87), L. Fowler, C. Platt, A. Rigoglioso; A. Mangan; Subs not used : B. Ashford, T.Pass.
REFEREE: S. Creighton (Berks) ATTENDANCE: 2,323 STAR MAN: Adriano Rigoglioso.
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