George Miller scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Cheltenham Town against Tottenham Hotspur U21 in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. The striker's 95th-minute header, set up by substitute Jordan Shipley, cancelled out a second-half comeback from the visitors at the EV Charger Points Stadium.
Miller had given the home side the lead deep into first-half injury time, but goals from Richarlison and Miracle Adewole after the break put Spurs U21 ahead. The late intervention means Cheltenham stay second in Southern Group A, keeping their qualification hopes in the competition alive. They are now one point behind group leaders Exeter City, who they face in their final group match next month.
Match details
Cheltenham manager Cotterill made several changes to his side, which had lost its last two League Two matches. The team started in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Joe Day in goal, but he was forced off injured in the 19th minute and replaced by Mamadou Diallo. The hosts created the better chances in the first period and were rewarded when Miller found the net just before the interval, converting from close range after a scramble in the box.
Tottenham's young side grew into the game after the restart. James Roswell set up Richarlison to level the score in the 56th minute, and Flisha Sowanmi's assist allowed Adewole to put the visitors ahead 17 minutes later. Ben Stevenson was booked for a foul as Cheltenham pushed for a response, which finally arrived in the dying moments when Shipley's deep cross was met perfectly by Miller's powerful header.
Looking ahead
The result extends Cheltenham's unbeaten run in the EFL Trophy to two games, following a 2-2 draw with Exeter City last month. Their focus now shifts immediately to League Two, where they sit eighth with 15 points from 10 games. Next up is a trip to face 21st-placed Oldham at Boundary Park on Saturday. Manager Cotterill confirmed post-match that goalkeeper Joe Day's injury would be assessed, while he praised the character shown by his squad to fight back late on.
Cheltenham Town FC issued a reminder to supporters before the match regarding increased security checks due to the UK's severe terror threat level. The club also noted that no persons under the age of 14 were permitted to attend without an accompanying adult. The team's current form and league position can be tracked in our standings section.
