Athletic rescued by last-gasp goal
Reporter: by TONY BUGBY
Date published: 25 March 2009
Cheltenham 1, Athletic 1
ATHLETIC’S spirited finish at Cheltenham last night provided a glimmer of hope that they might still reignite their promotion challenge in Coca-Cola League One.
Substitute Danny Whitaker salvaged what might turn out to be a precious point as his equaliser came with virtually the last kick of the match in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time.
The big drawback, however, is that time is not on Athletic’s side with only seven league fixtures remaining and considerable ground to make up if they are to claim a top-six spot.
While Athletic manager Joe Royle is certainly not conceding defeat, it is beginning to look mission impossible bearing in mind they are five points adrift having played one match more than the teams in fifth and sixth places.
Certainly in the opening hour of last night’s game at Whaddon Road you would have thought Athletic were battling relegation and bottom-club Cheltenham were promotion candidates.
It took a triple substitution from Royle to provide the spark which had been lacking all night as he hauled off Lee Hughes, Kevin Maher and Deane Smalley and introduced Whitaker, Lewis Alessandra and Fabio Ferreira.
Athletic seized the initiative, carving out a number of clear-cut chances and, with better finishing, they could easily have snatched a victory which had appeared improbable on the evidence of the first hour.
It took until the midway point in a dour opening period for either side to create a clear-cut chance.
And then it was Cheltenham striker Elvis Hammond who burst past Gregan only to be denied by a super stop from Athletic keeper Shane Supple.
The pacy Hammond, who is on loan from Leicester City, was a constant threat to a pedestrian defence.
It was no surprise when Cheltenham made the breakthrough in the 31st minute after Athletic’s defence was carved open by a slick, passing move.
And it was debutante Frankie Artus, a 20-year-old midfield player borrowed from Bristol City, who strode through a gaping hole to slot the ball low past Supple.
What was concerning for Athletic was the lack of a cutting edge as they had to wait until the 44th minute before creating their first clear-cut chance.
That came when Hughes was hauled back on the edge of the box, but Daniel Jones fired narrowly over with his free kick.
Chris Taylor and Smalley swopped flanks at the restart, but it failed to inspire a comeback as Athletic continued to labour.
Royle waited until just short of the hour before he sent on Whitaker and Alessandra, soon followed by Ferreira.
And it was so nearly a dream start for Ferreira as a minute after coming on he stole in at the far post to meet a left-wing cross from Jones only to head narrowly wide when he ought to have found the net.
The three substitutions certainly had the desired effect of brightening up Athletic, who enjoyed their best spell of the night.
Alessandra headed narrowly wide and Kabba then had a goalbound header diverted for a corner.
Athletic continued to press for an equaliser and Gregan held his head in his hands after seeing his goalbound shot blocked on the line after Cheltenham failed to clear a corner.
The breakthrough finally came in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
Mark Allott burst into the box and, driven to the by-line, he fired over a low cross which keeper Scott Brown fumbled at the near post, allowing Whitaker to force home from close range.
There was only just time to restart before referee Clive Penton blew the final whistle as Athletic celebrated and Cheltenham’s survival hopes were dealt a further blow.
Had it not been for conceding injury time goals at Huddersfield and last night, in-form Cheltenham would have picked up a maximum 12 points from their last four games. Instead they remain 11 points adrift of safety.
