Boss Andy Sinton was able to name striker Perry in his starting line-up despite the player – who scored both Lincoln’s goals in the return fixture before joining the Bucks on loan – still being contracted to the Sincil Bank club. Meanwhile in a bizarre twist Lincoln included Robbie Williams, on loan from Telford, in their starting eleven.

A long-range drive from Jay Smith was tipped round the post by Joe Anyon on 6 minutes, whilst Louis Almond forced Ryan Young to save smartly on 11 minutes. Lincoln should have taken the lead, however, on 16 minutes with Richard Pacquette missing the best chance of the game. The striker burst clean through on goal but Young parried his shot.

Chris Sharp spread play well to Ryan Valentine on 18 minutes and his cross was almost diverted into his own net by Josh Gowling, with the ball instead rebounding into the hands of the grateful Anyon. Telford did take the lead though on 24 minutes and predictably it was Perry who scored it. Smith crossed from the right and Perry lashed a left-foot drive in off the underside of the crossbar.

Lincoln were back level, however, on 31 minutes. John Nutter’s free-kick appeared to be going straight to Ryan Young but Chris Blackburn stuck out a leg and inadvertently diverted into the corner of the net. Indeed, it could have got even worse shortly afterwards when Pacquette again found himself clean through on goal and forced another crucial save from Young.

Lincoln ended the first-half and also started the second-half much the stronger of the two sides, without being able to turn their territorial dominance into chances. Perry nearly added a goal for Telford on 65 minutes but Anyon got down low to his left to save, before Young saved Telford yet again with a superb block to deny Peter Bore.

Jefferson Louis flashed a shot just over on 75 minutes in an increasingly end-to-end encounter and, after the Imps had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball struck Shane Killock on the hand, Jefferson Louis missed another gilt-edged chance as he fired over on 85 minutes.

Robbie Williams shot agonisingly wide for Lincoln in the final minute, but there were no more goals leaving the Bucks to take a crucial point back to Shropshire.

Telford now wait seven days before a big clash against another relegation rival with the trip to Alfreton Town next Saturday.

Lincoln City: 1. Joe Anyon, 3. John Nutter, 4. Rob Williams, 5. Josh Gowling (c), 8. Alan Power, 10. Jefferson Louis, 16. Richard Pacquette, 26. Paul Robson, 30. Louis Almond, 31. Peter Bore, 34. Tyrone Thompson.
Substitutes: 7. Jamie Taylor (for Pacquette,82 minutes) 17. Nicky Nicolau, 21. Nick Draper (GK), 27. Jean-Francois Christophe (for Bore, 90 minutes), 32. Nialle Rodney (for Almond, 82 minutes).

Bucks’ Line-up: 1. Ryan Young, 3. Sean Newton, 6. Shane Killock (c), 9. Kyle Perry, 15. Nathan Rooney, 18. Chris Blackburn, 22. Jonathan Brown, 23. Ryan Valentine, 25. Chris Sharp, 27. Jay Smith, 29. Stephen Jones.
Substitutes: 16. Dan Preston, 20. Richard Davies (for Smith, 83 minutes), 21. Ryan Brooke (for Sharp, 63 minutes), 28. Ashley Cain (for Perry, 86 minutes), 32. Ryan Robinson (GK).

Referee: Mr Scott Duncan (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

Attendance: 2,438 (including 142 away supporters)