Cheltenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 1

Last updated : 11 September 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham and Yeovil served up a highly entertaining game at Whaddon Road, although neither set of supporters would have been satisfied with the final outcome.

Throughout the 90 minutes it was an open contest, both teams defending deeply enough to allow plenty of space for passing movements.

Forward players on both sides looked capable of creating chances but the opposing defences were also on good form.

The result leaves promotion-chasing Yeovil in touch with leaders Wycombe Wanderers, only three points behind Tony Adams' side.

Improving Cheltenham have now lost only once in their last four games and manager John Ward appears to have them heading in the right direction.

Cheltenham made the brighter start of the two teams with striker Steve Guinan the stand-out player.

The former Hereford United man almost scored in the eighth minute with a volley that brushed the far post. He almost caught out Yeovil goalkeeper Chris Weale with a lob from fully 40 yards.

Yeovil went close when wide man Paul Terry forced a good save from Cheltenham goalkeeper Shane Higgs, but the deadlock was broken after 25 minutes.

Martin Devaney produced a deep cross from the left hand side and Guinan rose at the far post to head his first goal for the club.

At that point Cheltenham looked in control but they were pegged back only three minutes later.

Gavin Williams lofted a ball forward and Darren Way stole between two defenders to direct a looping header over Higgs.

After that the game could have gone either way with both sides creating a host of chances.

Cheltenham went closest to deciding it four minutes into the second half when captain John Finnigan rattled the crossbar from 25 yards, then Way went from poacher to gamekeeper, making a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Damian Spencer an almost certain goal.