Cheltenham 1 United 1
United produced a much improved second half display at Cheltenham to secure a draw with a late Mustapha Carayol winner just minutes after the winger had come off the bench. The Gulls had fallen behind to a first half freak goal by the veteran striker Barry Hayles but battled back in the second period to snatch that late goal.
Bucks made two changes from the line-up which started the game at Rotherham: Lee Mansell who suffered concussion training was replaced by Elliot Benyon with Elliot slotting beside Ashley Barnes in attack while Lathaniel Rowe-Turner came in at left back with Mo Camara dropping out. Mark Ellis retained his place in central defence and new loan signing Lloyd Macklin continued on the right of midfield.
United created the first chance of the match in the 4th minute when a throw-in from the Gulls' right was flicked on y Mark Ellis and Elliot Benyon flashed a header wide of the near post. Moments later and Barry Hayles tested Scott Bevan with a twenty yard effort but it was an easy take for the United 'keeper.
United caused some indecision in the Cheltenham defence when a Nicky Wroe free-kick was headed back across goal by Chris Zebroski and with Robin's 'keeper Brown letting the all go it was left to Gallinagh to clear the ball off the line.
Mark Ellis picked up a yellow card in the 18th minute for a foul on Thornhill who had broken free down the left but thankfully for United the free-kick was straight into the arms of Scott Bevan.
Midway through the first half Lloyd Macklin had the best sight at goal so far but his right foot shot from 15 yards out was straight at Brown. Both teams were having plenty of attacking possession but the match remained goalless.
United had a big let-off on the half hour mark when a deep cross hit the back of Chris Robertson who was challenging for the all with Alsop and fell to the feet of the Cheltenham striker but he shot over from ten yards with the goal at his mercy.
The more experienced home attack was holding the ball up well while United were doing their best to attack with pace but as yet they hadn't got in behind the Cheltenham defence with any purpose.
In the 34th minute United fell behind to a freak goal. The evergreen Barry Hayles found himself free on the left wing and whipped in a right foot cross that eluded Scott Bevan and rifled into the far left corner of the goal. A real kick in the teeth for United.
Goal: Cheltenham 1 (Hayles 34) United 0
The Gulls had started the match positively enough but as the first half continued they began to look short of creativity but were looking solid in defence and the home side had clearly got a large confidence boost from the goal. The one plus as half-time approached was that there was still just the single goal between the teams.
Half-Time: Cheltenham 1 United 0
No changes by United at the break and the 344 Gulls' supporters who had made the trip were expecting a second half of high energy and perseverance. Ashley Barnes had Brown beaten in the 51st minute with a good right foot strike but the ball just curled over the crossbar.
United made a good start to the second period and had far more of the attacking possession and although Nicky Wroe sent two free-kicks wide of Brown's goal at least the Gulls were forcing the play.
In the 67th minute United had a gilt edged chance to level the scores when Mark Ellis flicked the ball on inside the penalty area and Elliot Benyon had a free turn and shot at goal from 8 yards but his effort was straight at Brown. Moments later and the Cheltenham'keeper messed up collecting a back pass and found himself outside of his area with Lloyd Macklin closing him down. Brown tried to gather the ball back inside his box but Macklin got there first and from the edge of the area his shot was deflected to safety.
With twenty minutes remaining Bucks made a change with Jake Thomson replacing Ashley Barnes and taking up a wide left role with Chris Zebroski moving up front.
Lloyd Macklin had a goal bound shot deflected wide as United pressed hard for an equaliser but time was running out. It was a better second half performance by the Gulls and they had limited the home side to very few attacking chances.
Nicky Wroe was denied a goal by a desperate block from Eastham after the United skipper hit a low shot from 20 yards and it started to look like it wouldn't e the Gulls' night. At the other end Scott Bevan produced a fine one handed save to deny Bird's right foot free-kick and concede a corner in one of the home side's rare second half attacks.
In the 82nd minute Bucks made his second change with Mustapha Carayol replacing Lloyd Macklin on the right wing. The minutes were ticking away but as at Rotherham last Friday they were playing to the very end and it was substitute Mustapha Carayol who drew the Gulls level. The winger exchanged passes with Elliot Benyon before hitting a low left foot shot past Brown from 15 yards. On the second half showing it was a totally deserved leveller for United.
Goal: Cheltenham 1 United 1 (Carayol 89)
Three minutes of added time brought no further chances for either side and the points were shared.
Final Score: Cheltenham 1 United 1
