Duff dissatisfied with display despite victory

CHELTENHAM manager Michael Duff admitted he had an overriding feeling of frustration despite seeing his side claim all three points at Leyton Orient on Saturday, writes Jon Palmer.

Sam Ling’s own goal and a Finn Azaz header earned Cheltenham victory as both teams returned to action after their matches last weekend were postponed due to Covid-19 issues.

Duff, however, was far from pleased with the performance of his Robins side.

He said: “I thought it was a weird game and flat from the start. I called it before the game and said to the players it feels flat.

“We were excellent for a 20minute spell, scored two goals and then came off it, and we have to be better than that. I’m frustrated because it’s repeated itself, going ahead and coming off it. We need to be much more ruthless with the chances we created.

“It’s another clean sheet and there were a couple of good blocks, which looks a little bit more like what we do. We banked in. It was a strange one and you are delighted to win a game, but I felt we have another two or three gears to go.

“Frustration is just the overriding emotion and I’ll watch it back. There are lots and lots of positives, though.

“It’s clean sheet, another away win, and League wins are hard to come by. I tell the players all the time, don’t take them for granted.”

Cheltenham were rewarded for their early pressure when they took the lead in the 16th minute. A cross from the right found George Lloyd, who initially got the ball stuck under his feet in the area before managing to turn it into the net via Orient man Ling.

The Robins extended their advantage in the 29th minute when Will Boyle delivered a superb cross into the danger area and Azaz headed the ball down and in.

Orient’s best chances came after the break when Conor Wilkinson’s free-kick grazed the crossbar and substitute Ruel Sotiriou had a goalbound shot blocked by Boyle.

However, a resolute and wellorganised Robins side proved excellent value for their win, taking them up to eighth place in the League Two table.