Improved Robins make point

WHILE the managerial situation at Cheltenham Town remains unclear, there was a definite feeling that a new era was dawning at Port Vale on Saturday.

The last time the Robins played at Vale Park two years ago, they left stone-faced after learning that manager John Ward was leaving to join Carlisle United after four successful years at the club.

At the end of this visit, the players wore the broadest of smiles as they exited the stadium after a much-improved performance earned them a deserved point against in-form Vale.

If acting boss John Schofield has aspirations of landing the job on a permanent basis, subject to a club investigation into the future of Martin Allen, then this was an encouraging start to his temporary period at the helm.

Fired-up Cheltenham were quickly out of the blocks, but their early impetus was lost and they fell behind in the ninth minute.

Lewis Haldane had already slammed a shot against the outside of a post when Marc Richards, a £100,000 transfer target for ex-Robins boss Keith Downing in the summer of 2008, pounced in the ninth minute.

A long ball from transfer-listed defender Luke Prosser was not dealt with and Richards had enough time to swivel and place a low shot inside the bottom left corner for his ninth strike of the season.

But Cheltenham rallied, producing some attractive football on what is a vast playing area in windy conditions.

Schofield's new-look formation and team played with smiles on their faces as well as digging deep for the cause.

In a bid to combat Vale's 3-4-3 shape, Schofield deployed a 4-3-3 formation, with Julian Alsop preferred to Justin Richards as the central striker, with Elvis Hammond and Frankie Artus either side of the big man.

Richards, who had started every previous league game this season, and Andy Gallinagh were both dropped to the bench.

Exciting talent Theo Lewis came in for his first senior start, joining Michael Pook and David Bird in the midfield three, with Josh Low taking over from the injured Lee Ridley at left-back.

And it was Pook's party piece that hauled Cheltenham level in the 66th minute.

Midfielder Pook was targeting a goal to mark his 24th Birthday, which he celebrated two days earlier, and it was a fine goal for the summer signing from Swindon Town to open his account for Cheltenham.

A long throw from skipper David Bird was hurled towards Alsop and when the ball was half-cleared, Pook drove a fine left-footed shot into the top-right corner, giving goalkeeper Chris Martin no chance.

It was only the fourth League goal of Pook's career, but the way he took it suggests there could be many more to come.

Cheltenham looked the more likely winners, with Elvis Hammond causing the Vale defence major problems, but the Ghanaian lacked composure when it mattered.

The rejuvenated Low was excellent at left-back and one surging run ended with a through-ball to Bird, who should have hit the target when his effort cleared the far post in the 78th minute.

Lewis did not appear to be fazed by his full debut and he was a positive influence on the team until he succumbed to cramp in the 78th minute.

Substitutes Barry Hayles and Justin Richards combined, with Richards' header clawed away by Martin at the near post as the whistle blew on an entertaining contest.

Schofield gathered his players and staff into a huddle on the pitch in front of the travelling Robins fans immediately after the final whistle in a show of solidarity and there is no doubt the squad are behind him.

Port Vale: C Martin; L Prosser, J McCombe, G Owen; S Stockley, J Jarrett, A Griffith (T Fraser 73), K Taylor; L Haldane (R Taylor 73), M Richards, L Dodds (J Guy 84). Subs not used: J Anyon, D Howland, A Yates, D McCrory.

Cheltenham Town: S Brown; H Eyjolfsson, D Diallo, M Townsend, J Low; M Pook, D Bird, T Lewis (B Hayles 78); E Hammond, J Alsop (J Richards 70), F Artus. Subs not used: B Richardson, A Gallinagh, D Hutton, M Watkins, K Haynes.

Referee: S D Cook.

Attendance: 4,979 (182 from Cheltenham).

Star Man: Drissa Diallo.