FOREST Green's play-off hopes were dealt a potentially mortal blow by the Blue Square Bet Premier's whipping boys.
Already relegated after a 28-game winless run, Telford made the most of nerves in the New Lawn ranks and ensured Dave Hockaday's side registered a fifth home match without a victory.
Yan Klukowski replaced Kieron Forbes in the only Rovers change from Saturday's win at Ebbsfleet United, with Paul Green again in a midfield role.
And Green's industry almost paid dividend inside four minutes, as he won the ball on the edge of the Telford box and saw his skidding shot helped around the post by goalkeeper Ryan Young.
On 15 minutes James Norwood and Eddie Oshodi combined nicely in a similar position, but the latter's first-time shot flashed well wide.
A minute later Chris Stokes swung over an inviting cross from the left, picking out a soaring Wes Burns for a header that landed on the roof of the net.
Former Shrewsbury Town winger Steven Leslie looked to be Telford's brightest attacking light, but his weaving run ended in a drive that was blocked by Stokes.
An emphatic challenge by Oshodi foiled Leslie in an even more promising position, and seconds later Norwood's cross narrowly evaded the onrushing Klukowski and was blocked by Young.
A glorious opportunity was spurned by Klukowski in the 31st minute, as he burst clear of a weak midfield challenge and bore down on Young's goal – only to delay pulling the trigger and see his effort deflect off Christian Smith into the arms of the keeper.
Back came the Bucks, and Oshodi came to Rovers' rescue again with a last-ditch tackle to foil James Spray eight yards from goal.
A knock to Matty Taylor led to the introduction of Reece Connolly for his home debut on 36 minutes, but it failed to spark a breakthrough before the break.
Home groans of frustration grew more audible at the start of the second period as Rovers continued to look laboured, although Burns was unfortunate to see his prodded near-post effort bobble inches wide.
Leslie fired over when well positioned at the other end before Forbes – brought on for Klukowski in the 62nd minute – dragged wide after a jinking run.
Forbes turned provider for the next clear opening, and again the hosts' luck was out as his cross was headed onto the post by a stretching Connolly.
Even 17-goal top scorer Norwood was snatching at opportunities, scuffing wide after being cleverly fed by Stokes in the 76th minute.
It said much for the quality of the game that the loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for a Telford substitute – their player-coach and Forest Green's all-time leading Conference goal scorer Alex Meechan.
That could easily have changed with eight minutes remaining when Connolly pounced on Forbes' lay-off and fizzed a shot past the far post.
And in the final minute of normal time Oshodi's attempt from a half-cleared corner whistled inches over the crossbar.
Forest Green: S. Russell; J. Hodgkiss, D. Bennett, E. Oshodi, C. Stokes; P. Green, A. Bangura, Y. Klukowski (K. Forbes 62); W. Burns (O. Koroma 71), M. Taylor (R. Connolly 36), J. Norwood; Subs not used: J. Collins, Y. Odubade.
Telford Utd: R. Young; C. Adaggio, M. Briscoe, C. Smith, W. Salmon; N. Rooney (T. Bradley 65), P. Trainer, J. O'Neil (A. Meechan 77), S. Leslie; A. Williams (J. Bennett 90), J. Spray; Sub not used: D. Preston.
Referee: L. Swabey (Devon)
Attendance: 1,061
Star man: Eddie Oshodi
