Cheltenham Town FC

Two second half goals in quick succession earned the visitor's the win. Substitute Barry Corr levelled with his second attempt on goal and moments later Kevan Hurst's finished determined the games outcome. 

Byron Harrison's goal opened the scoring for the Robins on the brink of half time. 

Jamie Cureton and Zack Kotwica were introduced in an attempt to level the game but unfortunately Yates' men were unable to build on a good performance at Hartlepool last weekend and struggled to keep the pace in the second half.

Both teams entered the game unchanged after their slender victories against lower league opposition last time out.

A second half goal from Jermaine McGlashan earned the Robins all three points against Hartlepool whilst Southend substitue Freddy Eastwood clinched the winner for Phil Brown's men ainst bottom side Torquay.

The Robin's started well and controlled possession, Mitch Brundle's early, deflected strike fizzed past the near post and McGlashan couldn't find the target after finding space at the back post, he headed wide.

 

The visitor's were strong on the break, particularly attacking from the right. 

Keven Hurst forced Scott Brown into a strong save before seeing a fine cross picked out of the air by Brundle to deny Jamar Loza's advance into the box.

Brundle had an excellent start to the match, popping up in advanced positions, providing crosses and long throws into the Southend area.

But for all their good work, Cheltenham looked as though they could be undone in defence. 

Lee Barnard was allowed time to turn and shoot inside the box but the striker lost his footing and hooked his shot wide.

Hurst saw a free kick comfortably saved before Barnard twice went close, testing Scott Brown with a long range shot before looping a header narrowly wide of the top left corner of Cheltenham's goal.

The visitor's grew into the game and Matt Richards tried to change the tide with a right footed shot, but the lesser used foot couldn't beat Daniel Bentley who comfortably saved.  

As the fourth official displayed a minute of additional time, any fans sneaking to beat the half-time queue's would have missed the opener.

Jermaine McGlashan teed up Byron Harrison on the edge of the box, his sweetly hit right footed volley narrowly evaded the diving Bentley, to nestle in the bottom left corner of Southend's net.

A fairly even half, but the teams were divided by Harrison's 14th goal of the season.

Half Time: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Southend United

Southend emerged from the away dressing room with plenty of time to spare after the interval, and they controlled much of the opening exchanges.

Despite their early dominance, they were unable to carve out a clear cut opportunity. 

But the game was turned on its head just after the hour mark with a double substitution and two goals in quick succession.

Barry Corr and Jacob Murphy were introduced and Corr's first touch of the ball, a headed effort was cleared off the line by another Southend player, Loza.

Scott Brown then did well to deny John White from close range with an instinctive save before substitute Corr pounced on a lose ball inside the Robins box to level the game.

And just moments later, they had the ball in the net again.

Ryan Leonard's neat through ball played in Kevan Hurst who had looked dangerous all game. The Robins defence were nowhere to be found and despite a poor first touch, the wide man was able to lift the ball over Brown to take the lead.

Yates introduced Kotwica and Cureton to try and turn the game back in Cheltenham's favour.

It almost paid off as Kotwica broke into the box, forcing a fine save from Bentley. The rebound fell to Harrison who couldn't quite turn his shot goal bound. 

As the game came to a close Southend began to sit deep. Iheiekwe headed over before Cureton saw a clever effort deflected behind but it was too little to late, and Southend continued their push to maintain their play-off position.

Full Time: Cheltenham Town 1-2 Southend United

Cheltenham Town FC (4-4-2 Diamond): S Brown (GK); Brundle, T Brown, Ihiekwe, Jombati; Noble (Taylor '50) (Kotwica '80), Deering, Richards, Daniels (Cureton '80); Harrison, McGlashan.

Subs not used: Roberts (GK), Braham-Barrett, Vincent, Gornell.

Southend United FC (4-4-2): Bentley (GK); White (c), Coker, Sokolik, Egan; Timlin, Leonard, Atkinson (Murphy '61), Hurst (Clifford '72); Loza, Barnard (Corr '61).

Subs not used: Chambers, Prosser, Eastwood, Straker. 

Referee: Mr. Michael Naylor

Attendance: 2,949 (471 visitors)