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Search forCheltenham Town hit rock bottom
Monday, September 08, 2008, 08:00
CHELTENHAM TOWN replaced Huddersfield Town at the bottom of League One after slumping to their fourth successive defeat on Saturday.
A new-look Robins team showed enough to suggest they can move away from trouble during a very bright first half.
But they completely ran out of steam in the second period, allowing Huddersfield to hit back and win at Whaddon Road for the second season in succession.
Boss Keith Downing handed debuts to Lloyd Owusu and Josh Low, while loan front man Barry Hayles returned to the side and defender Gavin Caines made his first start since February.
A much more robust looking Cheltenham side controlled much of the first 45 minutes and Owusu fulfilled his promise to 'raise the roof' when he powered in a header from Alex Russell's perfect cross three minutes before half-time.
The tall and direct Low made some buccaneering runs down the right flank, using his strength and deceptive speed to good effect.
Russell was back on song in midfield and Jennison Myrie-Williams looked capable of hurting the Terriers with his skilful dribbling on the left.
Owusu and Hayles linked up effectively in attack and everything looked promising as Cheltenham returned to the changing rooms a goal to the good at the break.
But Huddersfield, without a win in their previous four league matches, turned things around and the Robins could not respond.
The equalising goal was scored in controversial circumstances as Huddersfield were awarded a corner that should never have been given.
David Unsworth blazed a shot against the bar and over, with goalkeeper Shane Higgs nowhere near it, but referee Jarnail Singh signalled for a flag kick.
Ian Craney's delivery caused chaos in the Robins' penalty area and Hayles was guilty of dwelling on the ball when he should have cleared. His hesitation allowed Nathan Clarke to stab a shot into the bottom left corner.
Ten minutes later, a tiring Cheltenham side's defence was breached again and this time it was Caines who should have done better with a clearance.
He was closed down by substitute Keigan Parker, who helped change the match.
The former Blackpool man broke through, forcing Higgs into a smart save at his near post and from the resulting corner, Craney scored with a 20-yard drive.
Cheltenham's habit of conceding from set-pieces is worrying, but when Low, Owusu and Hayles reach peak fitness there is enough quality in the squad to haul them out of trouble.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Higgs; J Gill, M Townsend, G Caines, A Wright; J Low, D Bird, A Russell (D Sinclair 75), J Myrie-Williams; L Owusu, B Hayles (A Vincent 79). Subs not used: S P A Brown, C Armstrong, A Lindegaard.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: M Glennon; A Holdsworth, N Clarke, C Lucketti, D Unsworth; G Roberts, M Collins, I Craney, M Flynn; P Jevons (K Parker 53), L Dickinson. Subs not used: J Skarz, J Worthington, J Goodwin, L Beckett.
REFEREE: J Singh (Middlesex).
ATTENDANCE: 3,587 (433 from Huddersfield).
STAR MAN: Lloyd Owusu.
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