Robins Lead Cut to Two Points

....was cut to just two points on Tuesday night after the leaders were held to a goalless draw by Gateshead and second-placed Forest Green Rovers won at Guiseley AFC.

Cheltenham managed to extend their unbeaten league run to twenty-two games but had to settle for just one points against fifth-placed Gateshead.

In front of a shivering crowd of 2,201 at the World of Smiles Stadium, Gateshead came closest to opening the scoring when Rob Ramshaw hit a post in the opening half.

But chances were few and far between, although the visitors almost snatched all three points after the break, but Ryan Bowman's header was cleared off the line by Kyle Storer.

Gateshead also edged the possession statistics, so this one might just be one the Robins got away with being happy with a point.

Forest Green were also made to battle by a Guiseley side determined not to get sucked into the dog-fight at the bottom of the table.

Indeed, the Lions had the better of the opportunities, with Emile Sinclair coming closest to breaking the deadlock when he saw his effort come back off both posts in the first half.

Home keeper Dan Atkinson saved well from Forest Green`s dangerous winger Elliott Frear.

The second half was much more even, although Sinclair was again unlucky as he hit the post again midway through the half.

However, the breakthrough finally came 8 minutes from time when sub Brett Williams fired past Atkinson from a Keanu Marsh-Brown cross.

There was still time for Liam Dickinson and Adam Boyes to go close to equalising, but Forest Green will be very grateful for securing a vital three points at Nethermoor.

Grimsby Town maintained their outside chances of the title – they still possess two games in hand on the top two – after a 3-1 win against a Woking side who are now six points adrift of the play-off places.

The Mariners got off to a great start at Blundell Park in front of 2,874 on a freezing evening.

Jon-Paul Pittman put them in front after less than 4 minutes had gone on the clock, getting on the end of an Andy Monkhouse's header to score.

However, the hosts weren`t able to build on their good start and on 34 minutes the Cards got themselves back into the game when Giuseppe Sole headed a Bruno Andrade free-kick past James McKeown.

But just 3 minutes later the Mariners were back in front, courtesy of top scorer Padraig Amond, who headed in Evan Horwood's cross.

And 3 minutes before half-time, Amond made it 24 for the season to date when he fired home from fully 25 yards to take the Mariners into the break 3-1 up.

The second half saw both sides have chances, although Woking`s Nick Hamman was the busier of the two keepers, making good saves from Monkhouse and Amond.

Wrexham moved into fourth place in the table after recording a third successive win and a sixth match unbeaten against a Kidderminster Harriers side who returned to the foot of the table.

Former Swindon Town striker Kayden Jackson proved to be the Dragons` hero on the night.

In front of a crowd of 3,899 at the Racecourse Ground, Jackson gave the home side a 14th minute lead when he made the most of a mistake at the back to give Wrexham the lead.

Then on the half-hour mark, Lee Fowler`s cross was headed past Dean Snedker by Jackson at the far post.

Jackson had the opportunity to make it a hat-trick in the second half, only to be denied by Snedker this time.

The closest Harriers came to a response was when Arthur Gnahoua`s shot was well saved by Rhys Taylor.

Kidderminster returned to the bottom of the table after Torquay United`s vital 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Welling United at Plainmoor.

It was a hard-fought win for the Gulls, who certainly didn`t have it all their own way, especially in the opening 45 minutes.

However, once Nathan Smith had broken the deadlock on the hour-mark with a firm header from Dan Butler`s corner, there looked to be only one winner.

Smith had gone close early on with another header well saved early on, while Shaun Harrad also came close to breaking the deadlock.

But a crucial three points was sealed with 20 minutes remaining when sub
Iffy Allen netted from close range after another Butler assist.

Torquay moved level on points with Welling, seven points adrift of the safety-mark.

Tuesday`s other game saw FC Halifax Town`s relegation worries increase after losing 2-0 at the Amlin Stadium against play-off chasing Braintree Town.

The Iron could barely have got off to a better start as Kenny Davis put them in front inside the opening minute, being first to react after Simeon Akinola`s initial shot had hit a post.

Things settled down after that, but the Shaymen`s chances of getting back into the game suffered a major blow after 57 minutes when they had Kevin Roberts sent-off after receiving a second yellow card.

The minutes later, Braintree sealed victory when, seconds after an Akinola effort had been blocked, Michael Cheek rounded visiting `keeper Sam Johnson to net number two.

The Shaymen, who beat promotion-chasing Grimsby last Saturday, are now only a points above the drop zone again.