Cheltenham Town 2, Huddersfield Town 1

Sep 11 2006 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

"At least we can take some spirit out of the second half here because we knew a lot of fans had travelled to watch us and the first half just wasn't good enough for them. It wasn't because of the new formation, it was because we didn't perform and needed to up our game.

"At home, we haven't started the season too badly so we've now got to look to take six points out of Doncaster and Yeovil and go from there."

Town, with Matt Young making a first League start, didn't look comfortable after McCann netted from Kayode Odejayi's simple pass and, despite chances for Fletcher and Beckett (twice) were coming under greater pressure by the break, much to the annoyance of travelling fans.

Jackson's switch at half time, with Danny Schofield replacing Young and going wide left, had immediate effect and suddenly Town were in the ascendancy; keeper Shane Higgs and Melligan somehow combining to get Beckett's effort off the line on 48 minutes before Schofield missed the follow-up shot.

An equaliser then would have made Town favourites, and Booth (twice), Schofield and Tom Clarke all went close before Melligan netted against the run of play to ease Cheltenham nerves.

Fletch put a great pass through for Abbott's goal - one which could earn him a recall as he went round the keeper to score - and there were late close efforts for Fletcher, Booth and that Hudson howler as Town's fans were willing the ball into the net.

It was not to be, and the next two home games now take on enormous significance.