Bournemouth 2 - 2 Cheltenham Town

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Saturday Feb 23 2008 03:00

Cheltenham Town striker Steve Brooker stole a last-gasp equaliser to keep his side firmly in the hunt for League One survival.

Brooker powered an 88-minute header past Gareth Stewart following Alan Wright's corner and level matters against relegation rivals Bournemouth.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Bournemouth, who had gone into a two-goal lead through Max Gradel and Marvin Bartley, before David Bird brought Cheltenham back into the game moments before the break.

Searching for a fifth win in eight games as they try and achieve the seemingly impossible mission of reversing their ten-point deduction for going into administration, the home side began with some promise as defender Jason Pearce put a close-range header just wide.

A nervy Cheltenham looked there for the taking and, when Bartley progressed into the area on 16 minutes, he found his path to goal crudely shut off by Craig Armstrong and Gradel calmly converted the penalty.

Bournemouth then very much seized the initiative, bursting forward at every opportunity and went close once more when Lee Bradbury struck the post.

That disappointment quickly subsided as they doubled their lead when Bradbury swung in a dipping cross and Bartley stuck out his right boot to send a looping volley over Shane Higgs for a first career goal.

Their jubilation quickly turned to concern as Kevin Bond's side made the criminal error of conceding just before half-time and allowing Town back into the game.

Brooker made a nuisance of himself, battling with three defenders before the ball broke to Bird and he slotted into the far corner.

The second half continued in its intensity as the game was turning into a real relegation dogfight with chances for either side.

The impressive Jo Kuffour went close twice for the home side, before Steven Gillespie spurned a prime chance for Cheltenham by ignoring the calls of his better-positioned team-mates to shoot from distance.

Somewhat predictably, Bournemouth's failure to close the game out proved their downfall as young legs tired and the seasoned Brooker powered through a static defence for his second goal in as many games.

It was not all rosy for Cheltenham though as they lost substitute Scott Brown in the dying moment to a straight red card, after a nasty confrontation with Bartley inside the centre circle.

  • 90
    That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.
  • 90
    Ashley Vincent goes into the referees book for dissent.
  • 90
    The referee has booked Max-Alain Gradel.
  • 90
    It's red. He's off. Scott Brown has been sent off.
  • 89
    Goal!! Cheltenham have scored with Steve Brooker putting it in the back of the net.
  • 86
    Sam Vokes is being taken off, Brett Pitman has come on in his place.
  • 78
    Jo Kuffour is replaced by Jo Tessem.
  • 70
    Craig Armstrong is being taken off, Paul Connor has come on in his place.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 2 v 1.
  • 46
    Michael D'Agostino is being taken off, Ashley Vincent has come on in his place.
  • 46
    Andy Lindegaard is being taken off, Scott Brown has come on in his place.
  • 45
    Half time whistle is blown by D Drysdale
  • 45
    Warren Cummings is booked for dissent.
  • 45
    Goal!! Dave Bird scores for Cheltenham.
  • 39
    Goal!! Marvin Bartley scores for Bournemouth.
  • 17
    Max-Alain Gradel takes a penalty for Bournemouth and scores!.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Bournemouth
Shots on target 9
Shots off target 13
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 8
Offsides 4
Corners 7

Cheltenham Town
Shots on target 11
Shots off target 3
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 8
Offsides 1
Corners 6

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