Troy gifts Milton first win as boss
RUSSELL Milton insisted it was no more than Cheltenham deserved as he bagged his first win as Robins boss at the expense of fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers.
An early Danny Holmes own goal followed by Troy Brown’s second-half header was enough to earn the Robins their first home success in League Two since October 18.
It also propelled Cheltenham out of the bottom two and Milton was struggling to contain his delight.
“It was brilliant from start to finish,” Milton said. “The spirit, effort and determination was first class.
“We started well, got the goal and then the defending was superb.
“Troy Brown, Matt Taylor and Pablo Mills really shut things out.We defended from the front too, so I am really pleased all-round.
“We wanted to make a good start, playing on the front foot and closing them down.
“We were camped in their half, getting crosses in and asking questions. We scored with Shaun Harrad’s cross-shot and it was nice to make the most of being on top.
“We said at half-time the next goal was important and to make sure it was us.
“It was a great header from Troy for the second, a striker’s header really and very coolly done.”
Meanwhile, Tranmere boss Micky Adams admitted his side were second best at Whaddon Road as they were dragged deeper into trouble.
“We started poorly, didn’t get anywhere near them for the first 20 minutes, which is unbelievable really,” Adams said.
“They knew the importance of the game, but we got exactly what we deserved, which was nothing.
“Cheltenham wanted it more than we have and that’s really disappointing. We have to stop playing as individuals and we have to gel them together. At this moment in time we are a long way from that.
“I can’t take anything away from Cheltenham, who stuck to their game plan and deserved their win.”
Harrad made an instant impact on his return to Cheltenham, on loan from Notts County, blasting the ball across the the face of goal – after some neat footwork in the seventh minute – that flew in off the unfortunate Holmes.
Tranmere frontman Jordan Hugill saw an effort cleared off the line by Matt Taylor in the 48th minute, but Cheltenham made it 2-0 on the hour when Brown stooped to nod in Matt Richards’ free-kick.
A free-kick from Max Power clipped the top of the bar as Tranmere made a late push, but they never seriously looked like hitting back and Cheltenham celebrated.