Cheltenham Town 2 Cambridge United 1

Last updated : 23 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham Town substitutes Brian Wilson and Damian Spencer combined for Spencer to register a 90th-minute winner from an entertaining game against struggling Cambridge United.

The result made it three wins in eight days for the Robins, who have gone from two points above relegation to one point off the play-offs.

Cambridge, however, have yet to win away and remain in the bottom three.

An all-action first half got off to a flier when Cambridge defender Adam Tann rose highest to head in from Andy Duncan's free-kick after only four minutes.

Cheltenham goalkeeper Shane Higgs needed to make a good save from Justin Walker to prevent it becoming 2-0 but the home side found their way into the game as the first half progressed.

Striker Steve Guinan blasted a shot over the bar from the edge of the box and defender Shane Duff dragged a shot wide before the game really exploded into life around the half-hour mark.

First, referee Mark Warren turned down calls for a penalty when Cheltenham's JJ Melligan went to ground in the box – Melligan was booked for his subsequent protests – then new Cambridge signing Amadou Konte thudded a shot against the post from 20 yards.

With 29 minutes gone Cheltenham secured the equaliser they had threatened when Martin Devaney crossed from the left, Guinan saw his shot blocked by teenage goalkeeper John Ruddy but Ashley Vincent pounced on the rebound from close range.

Devaney almost put the Robins in front a minute before the break when his curling free-kick from wide on the left bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Cheltenham continued their improvement in the second half and Guinan spurned three chances to put the game beyond doubt.

Just as a 1-1 draw appeared the most likely result, a pass down the right from Jerry Gill found Wilson and his cross was deflected past Ruddy by Spencer.