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Cheltenham 2 County 2: Verdict

28/ 9/2008

MICHAEL Raynes salvaged a point for County with a last-minute header and was immediately promoted to skipper.

Hatters' boss Jim Gannon says the 20-year-old will be captain when Oldham visit Edgeley Park on Friday night in place of Gareth Owen, who was replaced following Cheltenham's second goal.

Gannon said: "What an awesome performance. "I've said it privately and I'll say it publicly we may lose players over the coming year, but the one player I don't want to lose is Michael.

"You can always rely on him.

"If he keeps performing like that he's destined for big things. Maybe people want to see him as a centre-half but there ain't nobody on the pitch going to win more headers.

"For him to cap it all with a point-saving goal is a credit to the lad.

"He's covering every blade of grass down the middle. He's been a fantastic asset for us in both boxes.

"In my time at County he's probably the greatest competitor we've had."

Stuart Fleetwood put the home side in front in the 32nd minute the when he controlled a long ball out of the Cheltenham defence and slotted the ball past Stockport keeper Owain fon Williams.

Peter Thompson scored his first goal since his summer move from Linfield after good work by the impressive Anthony Pilkington, who dummied his marker and then delivered a cross for Thompson to meet with a glancing header at the near post.

Owen was caught out by the bounce of the ball in the 65th minute forcing fon Williams to take the legs of Fleetwood.

The keeper parried Scott Murray's penalty, but the Cheltenham striker's follow-up hit the crossbar and was put in by Josh Payne.

Boss Jim Gannon immediately substituted Owen for his mistake and there was an altercation between the two of them on the touchline.

"We'll deal with that later," snapped Gannon.

"I'm disappointed with myself because I should have made the change before then."

In the 90th minute Raynes headed home after Jim McNulty's cross had come off the head of Drissa Diallo.

And County almost grabbed all three points when Pilkington's strike hit the crossbar in injury time.

COUNTY: Williams 6, McSweeney 7 (Vincent 82mins), Mullins 6, Owen 5 (Rose 67mins 6), McNulty 6, Raynes 8, Pilkington 7, Dicker 6, Gleeson 6 (Baker 82ins), Turnbull 6, Thompson 7. Not used: Rigby, Blizzard

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