Town 0 - 1 Cheltenham

For the first time ever, Town lost a play-off game, and that means Town play in League 2 again next year after being on the edge of promotion since August.

But Town's display in the Millennium season was one of their poorer ones this season.

Michael Reddy was passed fit to start the match, and the Town team was otherwise as anticipated, with a strong-looking bench.  The only big name missing from the squad was John McDermott, Town's record appearance holder, due to injury.

Town fans packed the lower terrace, with some sitting on the second tier and up 'in the gods' of the top tier of the Millennium Stadium in what is anticipated to be the final play-off game held at the Welsh venue.

After the teams entered the stadium, the rockets had been shot into the air, the National Anthem sung, and the mascots - including the Mariners Bethany Johnson had had their photo call with the officials, it was down to business.

Cheltenham kicked off towards the Mariners fans.

Cheltenham claimed a corner after 2 minutes but the official awarded a goal kick to the Mariners as the Robins dominated the early exchanges.

Parky won a throw-in which came to nothing, and Higgs took a goal-kick, which was turned out for a Town throw.

The Mariners spread the ball about with the final ball only finding Higgs.

Whittle conceded a free-kick 35 yards out, with Town coming away with the ball spraying the ball about but when Cheltenham won the ball they played it directly upfield for Gillespie who beat his man and in a one on one with Mildenhall it was the Mariners keeper who made the important contact, at the expense of a corner.

Jones made a mistake attempting a back header to Mildenhall, but only finding Guinan who had just Mildenhall to beat and his shot was saved by the Town keeper.

Reddy found Parkinson with a diagonal ball and he squared to Woodhouse whose shot was hit high.

Gary Jones won a free-kick but Curtis Woodhouse's quick effort was wide.

Bolland took the ball forward, and was involved twice again before his inviting pass was too long.

Cheltenham won a throw-in 5 yards from the corner flag and Gary Jones in defence got in the important header.

Reddy was felled in a clash of heads with Armstrong.  The Cheltenham man ran straight off the pitch for medical attention while Reddy stayed down for a whole minute and he went into the dressing room too with Cohen standing ready to replace the Town man.

On 26:30 Cohen came on, and at the same time Bell replaced armstrong.

Cheltenham won a corner following a deflected shot, but it was wasted.

There looked to be a cast-iron appeal for a penalty as Parkinson was seemingly tripped in the box, but Referee Taylor was unimpressed.

There was a delay after Finnegan took a hit to the head.

He had to leave the field as Town's throw-in was delayed.

There was good pressure from Town and Bolland put the ball onto the head of Gary Jones whose looping header was wide.

Bolland brought in Newey, and Town played the ball around and then Cohen sprinted across the box and took a reverse shot which was saved at full stretch by Higgs, and then Parkinson curled the ball just over the bar as Cheltenham lived dangerously.

Town's next free-kick bobbled in the area before Bolland had a shot just wide. and four minutes of added time was signalled.

Parkinson again got in the box, without being able to get a shot on target and Cohen was blocked as he tried to get to the loose ball.

Half-time: Town 0 - 0 Cheltenham

Town kicked off the second half towards their own fans.

Gary Croft conceded the first corner of the second half and the ball was flighted towards Town's goal where Mildenhall collected.

A high free-kick from Mildenhall went through to Higgs.

Parkinson again did well before Jones was fouled, and Newey's free-kicked resulted inh a Town throw on the right and after some Town possession Woodhouse shot high over the bar.

Gillespie had to be substitutede after 61 minutes, and when play restarted there was a half-chance

Goal:! 62:46 Mildenhall tried to collect but the ball was almost kicked out of his hand and the ball was threaded goalwards as the ball evaded player after player and agonisingly crossed the line to give Cheltenham the lead.

Town's next free-kick was from the right of the box, but palmed clear by Higgs.

An extended period of Town pressure brought Town's first corner of the match, and it was met by Whittle whose strong header was just wide.

Penalty.

Cheltenham seemed offside twice before Woodhouse fetched down his man and justice was done when Mildenhall saved brilliantly.

Mildenhall was brilliant again after Cheltenham had hit the bar.

74 minutes: Russell Slade's substitution brought on Futcher for Gary Croft.

Bolland laid the ball off to Parkinson whose shot was straight at Higgs.

John Ward made his last substitution when he brought on Spencer for Vincent.

Town were playing 3-3-4 with Futcher up front.

Cohen then tried a long-range effort which drifted over.

Woodhouse crossed and Gary Jones threw himself at the ball with Higgs somehow keeping the ball out.

At the other end Mildenhall was caught in the shoulder and needed a couple of minutes treatment.

After 82 minutes Slade had his last throw of the dice with Goodfellow replacing Mendes.

Woodhouse raced into the box and went down, but again the referee wasn't interested.

5 minutes of added time was signalled.

Town won another croner a minute into added time, and then another straight away, but it was headed over by Whittle.

Despite Town pressure there were no clear-cut chances as the clock wound down.

Final Score: Town 0 - 1 Cheltenham