The U's bowed out at the first hurdle of the LDV Vans Trophy amid controversy against Second Division bottom club Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road last night.

The first-round tie was virtually decided by an unfortunate penalty and sending-off of goalkeeper Richard McKinney which left the U's with only ten men on the stroke of half-time.

The Irish keeper, restored between the posts after a break of four matches, was left dreadfuly exposed by a sudden Cheltenham break as the opening half moved into injury time.

Referee Paul Danson wasted no time in brandishing the red card as Richard Forsyth was sent sprawling as he homed in to score.

Simon Brown took over in goal, with Micky Stockwell making way, and although he got a touch to Paul Brayson's spot-kick the former U's keeper could not prevent the home side from taking the lead.

McGleish drew the sides level 12 minutes after the break, when rising high above a home defender to head in a close-range equaliser from Joe Keith's deep cross to finish off a sweeping five-man move.

The U's were right back in the game then, despite being a man short, but everything went to pieces just five minutes later when Grant McCann smashed home an unstoppable free-kick from the edge of the area, following a foul by Keith.

Further goals from big Julian Alsop on 68 minutes, smashing in a rebound after Brown had touched a vicious shot from Martin Devaney onto a post, and Brayson, running clear of the U's defence 13 minutes from full-time, gave the Robins a flattering 4-1 scoreline.

Manager Steve Whitton said: "Richard's sending off and the penalty right on half-time definitely changed the game, but the wonder strike over our defensive wall for their second goal just after we'd equalised killed us off.

"We'd just enjoyed a 15-minute spell where even with ten men we'd looked the better side, but this result doesn't make us a bad side."

Published Wednesday October 23, 2002

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