“In the first half I felt there was only one team in it and we went in front,” Roger Johnson said. “Then we conceded the penalty and all of a sudden our confidence levels dropped. This was clearly not the result we wanted, it is unacceptable but there are positives to draw on and we have to move on and look forward.”

Goal chances were at a premium and it was no surprise that it took penalties and free-kicks to settle this match. On 38 minutes Sam Smart was brought down and captain for the day Martin Woods despatched the perfect penalty leaving Joe Young no chance.

Within two minutes Telford were awarded their own penalty as Kai Williams was fouled, Danny Lewis saving well to see Brackley into the half-time break narrowly in front.

The home side sought to build on their lead after the interval, Callum Stead’s effort saved before a searing volley by Stead was beaten away by Young, Smart the provider. Matt Preston’s cross-shot grazed the cross-bar as The Bucks lived dangerously.

Brendan Daniels’ free-kick was close before Telford won a second penalty. This time Byron Moore stepped up and fired high into the net.

On 68 minutes the visitors went ahead as Montel Gibson found the bottom corner from a free-kick 25 yards from goal.

Woods’ fierce effort was just too high, set up by Stead, as Brackley chased an equaliser but could find no way through against resolute defending to suffer a third defeat in a week.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Carline, Calder, Murombedzi, Cullinane-Liburd, Preston, Matwasa, Woods (Yussuf 86), Robinson (Rooney 68), Armson (Smart 19), Stead. Subs unused: Walker, Bates.

AFC Telford United: Young, Allen, Nolan, Cameron, Livingstone, Moore, Ekpolo, Evans, Williams (Salmon 81), Daniels, Gibson. Subs unused: Piggott, Rood, Rowe, Thompson.

Referee: Jonathan Maskrey Assistants: Simon Parbery and Lewis Saunders-Johnson

Attendance: 848