County Cup

Cinderford Town 2

Cheltenham Town 3

DAVE Bird came back to Cinderford to haunt his former club on Tuesday night, scoring two goals in an entertaining match at The Causeway.

Bird might be out of favour at Whaddon Road right now but it's hard to see why. He was one of four full-time professionals in the Cheltenham line-up and he gave a faultless display in the centre of midfield. The other Cheltenham player to catch the eye was Lydney-based midfielder Joe Turley, who kept his side on the front foot throughout the match with some excellent passing and movement.

Cheltenham had Matt Williams sent off in the second half after he picked up a second yellow card, but it didn't stop them from controlling possession and creating chances. Bird put the Robins in front inside two minutes from a direct free-kick on the edge of the box.

Mike Whittington wasted a great chance to equalise, flicking a close range effort over the bar, but Cinderford drew level through Matt Barnes – who followed up a Brad Poole penalty save from Dale Evans. The spot-kick was awarded for a Matt Williams foul on Josh Egan.

Cheltenham regained the lead following some sloppy Cinderford defending. Keeper Alex Harris dithered along with his defenders, allowing Theo Lewis to run onto a Bird pass and slot the ball into a vacant net. Cinderford equalised for the second time when Dan Harrison headed home a Matt Smith cross.

The dismissal of Williams – who picked up an innocuous booking for handball in the middle of the field – handed Cinderford a big advantage, but the Robins responded with their best spell of the match.

Cinderford rallied and the game could have gone either way.

The hosts had a Dan Harrison effort scrambled off the line by 16-year-old Cheltenham sub Kieran Thomas, another talent from the Forest of Dean.

McCootie shot wide and Harrison hit the bar from six yards when it seemed harder to miss than score.

With extra-time looming, up popped Bird with an acrobatic winner. Greg Lewis's sliced clearance struck his own bar and Bird raced in to hook the ball over his shoulder, past Harris and into the net.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Warren Archer, Matt Smith, Dan Harrison, Greg Lewis, Nick Hancock, Matt Barnes, Dale Evans (capt), Mike Whittington, Josh Egan, Dean Lee. Subs: Nick McCootie, Andy Lewis, Ashley Malcolm, Ben John.

Cheltenham Town: Brad Poole, Charlie Hitchings, Cullum Brown, Dave Bird, Matt Williams, Harry Hooman (capt), Josh Swales, Joe Turley, Ben Hadley, Theo Lewis, Bagasan Graham. Subs: Dean Reaney, Kieran Thomas, Joe Hanks, Owen Donague, Mike Gonzalo.