Montrose the hero as Robins go through - with Allen audio

Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 19:15

Click here to listen to Martin's post match thoughts

Oldham Athletic 0 - 1 Cheltenham

Lewis Montrose was the goal hero as Cheltenham Town reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in three years this evening.

The Robins put their league struggles to one side to bounce back from their derby defeat at Hereford United and end 1994 semi-finalists Oldham Athletic’s interest in the Cup for the third time in eight seasons at Boundary Park.

The first strike of Montrose’s fledgling career put Cheltenham ahead in the 22nd minute and they battled bravely to earn themselves £20,000 in prize money and a trip to League Two club Morecambe in round two on Saturday week.

The Wigan Athletic youngster, who turned 20 on Monday, chested down a long throw from David Bird and confidently beat big goalkeeper Mark Crossley with a low finish.

A Cheltenham side containing five changes were vastly improved from their 3-0 defeat by Hereford United on Saturday.

Making his first start since recovering from a fractured wrist, Ashley Vincent was a constant worry for the Latics’ defence with his pace and direct style, while the new-look back four, led by the dominant Drissa Diallo, were altogether more watertight than the leaky defence exposed so badly at Edgar Street.

Boss Martin Allen made five changes to the side humbled at Hereford, recalling Scott P A Brown, Lee Ridley, Damian Spencer, Vincent and Montrose to the starting line-up.

Out went Shane Higgs, Lloyd Owusu, Paul Connor, Josh Payne and ankle injury victim Darren Kenton.

David Bird started at right-back, the position in which he started his senior Robins career, with Andy Gallinagh switched to centre-back.

Vincent had the first chance of the match in the second minute after a pass hit the back of Reuben Hazell’s head and fell kindly for him, but his shot was blocked.

Wearing a lightweight cast on his injured right wrist, Vincent than ran at Sean Gregan and got the better of the home skipper, but Crossley saved his powerful drive.

Montrose made a host of sterling challenges in the middle of the park. He was cautioned for a late challenge, but he was celebrating midway through the half and Cheltenham deserved their slender lead at the break.

Brown reacted well to save an effort from substitute Matt Wolfenden three minutes into the second half after Lewis Alessandra helped on a long pass from Crossley.

Daniel Jones’ deep cross evaded Gallinagh and fell to Alessandra at the far post, but Brown blocked with his legs as Oldham applied the pressure.

Wolfenden’s pull-back fell to Taylor in a glorious position and he seemed certain to equalise in the 68th minute, but Wright made a courageous block.

Brown held another shot from Wolfenden after a break forward from left-back Daniel Jones, but Cheltenham looked solid and determined to register their first clean sheet since August 16 when they defeated Swindon Town 2-0 at Whaddon Road.

A free-kick from Jones was met with a diving header from Kieran Lee, but it flew inches wide of the left post and the outstanding Brown blocked well from Alessandra deep into injury time as Cheltenham held on for a morale-boosting and very rare away day success.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC: M Crossley; K Lomax, R Hazell, S Stam (A Liddell 52), D Jones; M Allott, S Gregan, K Maher (K Lee 77); C Taylor, L Alessandra; D Smalley (S Gregan 36). Subs not used: G Fleming, D Stephens.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Brown; D Bird, A Gallinagh, D Diallo, A Wright; S Murray, L Montrose, I Westlake, L Ridley; D Spencer (L Owusu 46), A Vincent (P Connor 66). Subs not used: S Higgs, A Lindegaard, C Armstrong, J Hayes, J Payne.

REFEREE: A Bates (Staffs).

ATTENDANCE: 2, 552 (81 from Cheltenham).