Cheltenham 1 Huddersfield 0

Last updated : 06 November 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham Town hauled themselves off the bottom of the Division Two table and increased the concerns for Huddersfield Town manager Mick Wadsworth with this result.

The Robins belied their lowly status to produce a commanding 90 minutes performance, creating numerous chances before finally getting a deserved winning goal 19 minutes from the end.

The majority of the chances fell to Paul Brayson, a summer signing from Cardiff City, who was applauded off the pitch by the home fans after a hard-working display despite missing a number of good chances.

Brayson saw a series of efforts saved by impressive Huddersfield goalkeeper Scott Bevan, and placed a shot inches wide of the target from ten yards with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Huddersfield adopted an adventurous three-man attack and had the first chances of the game but soon found themselves having to defend.

Cheltenham launched wave after wave of attacks at the Terriers goal and at times it seemed that they were fated not to score.

An incredible sequence midway through the second half began with Bevan throwing himself in the way of a close-range shot from Brayson. Seconds later, Brayson pulled the ball along the goal-line for striking partner Julian Alsop, but he was unable to put it in the net from four yards out with the goal gaping.

Cheltenham finally took the lead when Martin Devaney crossed from the right, Alsop headed the ball down and Brayson stole between Bevan and defender Nathan Clarke to roll in his third goal of the season.

"We needed a result but we got a good performance as well," said Cheltenham manager Graham Allner.

"We created loads of chances and stuck at it well. I was pleased for Paul Brayson because even though he missed a few chances, he was brave enough to keep getting there and got his reward in the end." Huddersfield manager Wadsworth said: "I can protect the players as much as I can but I cannot protect them on a day like today.

"The players know what I think and I don't want to say much more than that."