Robins players stood up to challenge, says Duff

MATTIE Pollock’s close-range strike was enough to take Cheltenham through to the FA Cup second round with home replay victory over Gillingham.

The defender had netted the Robins’ goal in Kent before Gerald Sithole earned the Gills a replay.

It took only 11 minutes for Watford loanee Pollock, pictured, to find the net again, touching in with his left foot after Kyle Vassell nodded Chris Hussey’s corner into his path.

Cheltenham were on top for most of the first half, with Christian Norton heading a cross from Hussey wide in the 20th minute and Vassell then volleying over at the far post.

Gillingham created one opening during time added on before the break with Daniel Adshead nearly finding John Akinde in the six-yard box, but goalkeeper Scott Flinders was alert to the danger.

Norton raced through on goal in the 54th minute and he was fouled by Jack Tucker right on the edge of the box, but play was allowed to continue and Aaron Chapman pulled off a fine save, with Tucker then shown a yellow card.

Cheltenham continued to push, but Gillingham restricted them to a single goal, without seriously threatening to equalise and the Robins will visit League One rivals AFC Wimbledon in round two.

Speaking afterwards, a happy Cheltenham manager Michael Duff said: “It was a good performance you’ve got to stand up and fight against a Steve Evans team.

“It doesn’t matter how many people they’ve got out they’re going to play the same way.

“I thought at their place we did two sides of the game well. Out of possession I thought we were good and in transition I thought we were good - I just thought we could have used the ball a bit better.

“I thought we added that into our game today.”

Next for his side is a home fixture in League One on Saturday against Shrewsbury Town.