Cheltenham Town 0 Leeds United 1

Last updated : 02 November 2008 By Footymad Previewer
A goal from Leeds United's Luciano Becchio after only seven minutes decided this clash from two sides at completely opposite ends of the League One spectrum.

Former non-league club Cheltenham have one of the lowest wage budgets in the division but they gave former Premier League giants Leeds a run for their money on a cold Cotswolds afternoon.

Leeds had the better of the first half and could have extended their lead but Cheltenham battled back in the second period and their hard work almost earned them an unlikely draw.

Cheltenham had plenty of the ball in the early stages but classy Leeds cut through them on the counter-attack and took an early lead.

Right-back Frazer Richardson made good ground down the right-hand side and delivered an inviting cross for Beccio, who slipped between two defenders before heading past goalkeeper Shane Higgs from eight yards.

Higgs had to be at his best to deny Jermaine Beckford on two occasions early on - the first a diving parry from a powerful long-range shot and the second a charge off his line to deny the Leeds marksman after Fabian Delph had played him in.

Higgs also dived to block a shot from Delph and Beckford lashed one just over the bar as Leeds threatened to extend their lead.

However, Cheltenham stuck to their task and almost profited from a defensive mistake in first-half stoppage time, Scott Murray running through but placing his shot inches wide of the right-hand post.

The second half was a completely different story with Cheltenham taking the game to their visitors from the off.

Paul Connor had two early chances and then saw a shot cannon off goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and behind for a corner when he seemed almost certain to score.

Ankergren denied 17-year-old midfielder Josh Payne with a stretch and tip over the bar but Leeds almost stole a second goal late on when, with Cheltenham pushing many players forward, first Beckford blasted over the bar and then Becchio saw a shot well saved by Higgs.

Leeds, then, have their promotion hopes back on track after losing their last three away games but Cheltenham, who have now lost their last four matches, can at least take heart from this performance.