Cheltenham Town 0 Rochdale 2

Last updated : 18 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham Town manager Bobby Gould sensationally resigned immediately after his team's 2-0 home defeat against Rochdale.

It was the Robins' sixth loss in the last seven games and Gould went straight up to the Director's Box after the game to tender his resignation.

In truth, it was apparent from the performance that Gould had lost the support of his players, who turned in a very weak show against a young Rochdale team.

A Cheltenham team featuring several changes made a bright enough start to the game but could not find a finish to match their approach work.

Striker Damian Spencer was the main culprit, missing two chances in the opening minutes, and it was Rochdale who took the lead on the half-hour from a well-constructed move.

On-loan Manchester City player Chris Shuker played the ball out to Ged Brannan on the left and his cross was met on the edge of the area by young striker Kevin Townson.

He hit a controlled first time shot through a crowd of players and just inside Shane Higgs' right-hand post.

Gould immediately changed tack by sending on midfielder Craig Dobson and switching to 4-4-2 but his team was still unable to find a way through.

Rochdale goalkeeper Neil Edwards made brilliant saves from a Grant McCann free-kick and Jamie Victory close range shot, while in the second half both Spencer and substitute Bob Taylor sent efforts wide of the target.

As the crowd grew increasingly restless the final straw for them came five minutes from the end when Leo Bertos cut in from the right and, as the defence backed off, he unleashed a low drive into the bottom left-hand corner of Higgs' net.

An angry crowd of supporters gathered outside the ground following the final whistle but Gould sent them home with what they wanted.