Cheltenham 0 Wycombe 0

Last updated : 21 December 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Cheltenham Town failed to capitalise on a good first-half performance against Wycombe Wanderers and were almost made to regret that fact in the closing stages.

Wycombe finished the stronger of the two sides but a draw was probably the fair result from a disappointing game between two sides struggling for their best form.

Cheltenham were looking to bounce back from last week's morale-sapping defeat at Peterborough while Wycombe needed a win for their under-fire boss Lawrie Sanchez.

The travelling fans unfurled a 'Sanchez Out' banner and were clearly unhappy about the sale of striker Sean Devine to Exeter City, which is due to go through on Monday.

Cheltenham had the better chances of the first half with visiting goalkeeper Martin Taylor forced to make good saves from Martin Devaney (twice), Hugh McAuley and Damian Spencer.

After the break the play became scrappy and Wycombe grew stronger as the game wore on. Midfielder Michael Simpson had their best chances, one of them well saved by Robins keeper Steve Book and the other just missing the target.

"We had the better chances in the second half without creating a final one and just lacked that little bit of composure in the final third," said Wycombe assistant manager Terry Gibson.

"We were quite pleased with the draw but in the last 15 minutes I thought that if one team was going to win it would be us.

"Sean Devine was asked to play, but declined because he has been offered a two-and-a-half year contract by Exeter and is due to join them on Monday." Cheltenham manager Graham Allner added: "I thought first half we did well and needed to score then, really.

"It was always going to be a little bit tougher going the other way against the elements but the most important thing was to get some sort of performance after last week and I think we got that."