Huddersfield went into the match in fine home form after seven straight wins, although their away results have not been as impressive.
Peter Jackson’s men had rattled the woodwork of Shane Higgs’ goal twice within the first 15 minutes. Danny Schofield was denied after skipping past Mike Duff and beating Higgs with a powerful, curling shot with just three minutes gone. The rebound fell to Jonathan Stead, but the Terriers’ top scorer blasted over the bar with the goal gaping.
Schofield was unfortunate to see another shot cannon back of the post ten minutes later after receiving the ball from Stead. Cheltenham’s first chance fell to Damian Spencer, who was operating in an advanced left-midfield role, but goalkeeper Phil Senior gathered the striker’s firm header from a John Brough free-kick.
Victory showed what Cheltenham had been missing in recent weeks by causing the home side problems down the left flank and Bob Taylor shot straight at Senior after making room for himself in the area. Higgs made a fine reaction save to deny Andy Booth after Nat Brown had ripped through the Robins’ defence.
Cheltenham’s best chance of the match arrived after half an hour and started with a Huddersfield corner. The flag kick was cleared and Martin Devaney and Grant McCann broke swiftly straight down the middle. Devaney turned inside Anthony Lloyd and squared for the advancing McCann, who shot over the bar with his weaker right foot.
Senior diverted a John Finnigan effort wide of the post after 42 minutes, but the first half ended as it started, with the Terriers on top. Lloyd saw his shot deflected over the bar after more good work from Stead.
Nigeria’s world cup defender Efe Sodje entered the action at the start of the second half and the central defender enjoyed a good battle with Cheltenham’s Taylor.
Devaney and McCann both saw efforts soar over the bar early in the second period and Spencer headed wide after 56 minutes after some good wing-play from Devaney.
Higgs made his save of the match after 68 minutes, denying the dangerous Stead his 15th goal of the season. Brown crossed from the left after a through ball from Lee Fowler and Higgs acrobatically pushed Stead’s sweetly struck shot over the bar.
Huddersfield switched to three up front in a bid to break the deadlock and Brown saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by Taylor.
Devaney broke clear again in the dying minutes and after beating a defender, failed to deliver a telling cross into the area and the last chance of the game came and went.
Cheltenham will be pleased with a hard fought point and finally putting their run of away defeats to an end.