Adkins praise for side

Last updated : 22 November 2006 By Luke Thornhill
Goals from Ian Baraclough and Billy Sharp booked a clash with Wrexham in the second round of the competition.

"We might not have been at our best, but in this competition it's all about winning matches," declared Adkins.

"We found that after our high energy game on Saturday against Northampton there was not much left in the tank.

"The bigger clubs have bigger squads and can rotate their players, but down at this level we don't have that luxury.

"We have a great spirit in this club and it's a good sign when a team can win games without being at their best.

"It's important for this club to be through to the next round with a home game against Wrexham and to have a chance once again of reaching round three."

Cheltenham assistant boss Keith Downing, who was overseeing the side while John Ward recovers from knee surgery, praised his side.

"We came here and asked them to be positive, and I thought the players were terrific, particularly at the start of the second half," he said.

"Unfortunately we lack a cutting edge in front of goal. I'm not just pointing the finger at our strikers, it's the rest of the team as well.

"We seem to lack confidence when we get into the final third. We're also continuing to give away too many poor goals at the opposite end"