Colchester 1 Cheltenham 1

Last updated : 07 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham Town are still searching for their first win after being pegged back at Colchester Utd.

The Robins have struggled a little since they clinched promotion via the play-offs last May and this was their sixth game without a win.

However, there are signs of improvement and, following on from last weekend's battling draw against Cardiff City, they took the lead at Layer Road in first-half stoppage time.

Livewire striker Tony Naylor reacted first from Hugh McAuley's free-kick to stab home at the near post. It was Naylor's second goal of the season.

Colchester endured a poor first half during which they failed to muster a shot on target.

However, the Essex side improved after the break and they grabbed the equalizer on 58 minutes thanks to a sweetly taken penalty from Joe Keith.

Defender Richard Walker upended Frenchman Thomas Pinault with a high, lunging challenge and referee Mr Curson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Walker was booked for the challenge and up stepped Keith to fire home the spot kick to keeper Steve Book's left. It was Keith's third goal and only Colchester's fifth of the season.

The hosts looked the more likely winners during the final half hour.

Sam Stockley was making his Colchester debut and was almost crowned a hero when he came close to scoring with his first touch.

Teenager LLoyd Opara completely missed his kick following a cross by Kernal Izzet with an empty goal beckoning and the Oxford loanee rushed in to meet the loose ball.He got a toe to it but his effort was squeezed wide off a defender.

Cheltenham's best chances all fell in the first half and they were endebted to a couple of fine saves fron keeper Richard McKinney who dived to deal with a couple of goal-bound headers from Julian Alsop.

Colchester manager Steve Whitton said: "Having been 1-0 down at the break we would have taken a draw. We are continuing to defend well, but we are struggling in front of goal and we are not being positive enough.

"We have already collected 11 points, so who knows what will happen when we start playing well."