What Now Les?

It may not be what the players and officials of Slough Town want to hear but the harsh facts are that unless there's a serious upturn in league form them the club is heading for a relegation dog fight. Saturday's spiritless showing at Telford was a warning that must be heeded.

After being torn apart by a rejuvenated Telford Slough's most passionate wish was that other results had gone their way. For once though it was not to be and with virtually all the sides below them winning all the signs are that the gloom surrounding the club in the league at least is unlikely to lift in the coming weeks.

The sheer lack of experience in the back four was all too obvious, and absence of steel in the midfield and apart from Robbie Peters little pace in attack are factors which point to an extension of the poor run which has dogged Rebels in recent months.

Indeed had it not been for an inspired Trevor Bunting things could have been all very embarrassing for Slough.

Peters who was making his debut on loan from Brentford showed some excellent touches but the support he received was, at best mediocre, at worst, inept.

That said things started brightly for Town when Peters left Pritchard trailing before firing in a low cross which Sayer put over from six yards when he should really have scored.

But on five minutes McKay was beaten for pace, Hancock misjudged Signet's cross and man of the match Darren Roberts chested the ball down and fired his shot low and hard past the advancing Bunting. Straight from the kick off Roberts might have got another but volleyed wide with Bunting struggling.

A string of fine saves by Bunting kept the score down until the half hour mark when Ferguson's through ball split the Slough defence, badly missing the suspended Dowson, and Taylor ran through to hook a half volley beyond Bunting and into the far corner.

Slough for their part just couldn't get into the game and were guilty of thumping aimless 40 yard balls straight through to an untroubled Hughes in the home goal.

When Peters got away again his cross was cut out as Fiore, playing on the right, closed in. At the other end Bunting was beaten again by Roberts but this time Manning was back on the line and helped by Hazel they cleared the danger.

Slough's best effort of the half was a Sayer header from Hancock's cross which flashed just wide but it was Telford who posed the more serious threat and it was Roberts again who brought another fine save from Bunting only for the ball to run to Bignot and he made it three, turning the ball into an empty net.

Hazel and Brian Lee were both booked as they attempted by illegal means to contain the threat of Roberts.

Telford appeared to ease off somewhat after the break but still had the better of things and Bunting had to foil Nisbitt, this time diving low to his right.

After 53 minutes Slough got one back, Quamina released Sayer but Hughes beat him to the through ball only to then scuff his clearance kick straight to the feet of Morrys Scott who played the ball back 30 yards into the unguarded net.

Telford's response was emphatic and their next attack saw Ford dance away from McKay and then under challenge from Peters tumble in the box. The decision seemed harsh and perhaps justice was done when Bunting dived to save Roberts' penalty.

Myers joined team mate Pritchard in the book when he caught Manning but moments later it was Myers causing problems for Slough and as the defence panicked once more Ferguson thumped the ball home.

It gave the scoreline a realistic look which was maintained when Sayer, clean through late on, shot wide.

Slough trudged off despondently to contemplate an away record that has seen them go without an away win in the league since they beat Stalybridge on the opening day of the season. Not a record to inspire confidence as the Rebels prepare for games at Merthyr and Morecambe in the next couple of weeks.

One bright spot for Town however is that should their rapid tumble down the table continue then they could be saved by Marlow who are currently leading the charge at the head of the Diadora Premier League. Their ground would prevent them from coming up so there may well be one less relegation slot to fall in to.