Cheltenham 3-2 Macclesfield

Cheltenham beat Macclesfield 3-2 in a trilling match on a damp Saturday afternoon at the bottom of Sky Bet League Two in Gloucestershire.

Goals from Michael Rose (10, pen) and Scott Wilson (20) had given the Silkmen a lead that would mean they leapfrogged Cheltenham in the table.

But a second half comeback with goals from Luke Varney, Jacob Maddox and Charlie Raglan meant that Michael Duff celebrated a first win since New Year’s Day.

The result leaves Cheltenham 18thin League Two, 5 points clear of relegation.

Meanwhile Macclesfield stay in the bottom two, 2 points behind Morecambe.

OFF TO A FLYER

It was a frantic start to the match, with both sides receiving bookings before a moment of madness from Scott Flinders, who hesitated to come out of goal, and when he did he brought down Wilson.

Michael Rose slotted the penalty home off the inside of the post to give Sol Campbell’s side an important advantage.

Cheltenham struggled to get back into it after that but got a stroke of luck just ten minutes later. Nathan Cameron was sent off for a challenge right on the edge of the area.

But Cheltenham couldn’t capitalise on that and gave away a sloppy second goal. Scott Flinders again at fault as he tried to play out from the back but gifted Wilson the easy chance to double visitors’ lead.

He did so in style, dinking the ball over the despairing goalkeeper.

Luke Varney attempted to get Cheltenham back into it with a shot on the turn, but Kieran O’Hara held his effort.

Cheltenham defender Jordon Forster was stretchered off and received oxygen, being replaced by Kevin Dawson.

Varney threatened again on 45 minutes, shooting wide inside the area before he took aim once more but put it straight at the ‘keeper.

COMEBACK: COMPLETE

Ten minutes into the second half and the Robins pulled one back, Varney finally hit the target scoring from Ryan Broom’s cross on the volley.

Cheltenham attacks came in waves from that point on and Jacob Maddox equalised on the hour mark, smashing home Varney’s knock down from close range.

The home side led with ten minutes remaining, with loan signing Charlie raglan powering home Alex Addai’s looping cross.

Scott Wilson had a fantastic opportunity to equalise with 5 minutes of normal time remaining but he dragged his shot wide.

WHAT NEXT?

Next up for Cheltenham is another match at the Jonny Rocks Stadium against Cambridge United, Macclesfield play away to Mansfield.

Michael Duff post-match: We scored 3 goals so pleased with the result but we're shipping too many goals.

"Its a team game and it's about helping eachother out. His mates have dug him (Flinders) our of a hole."