Milton positive after stalemate

Cheltenham manager Russell Milton was upbeat despite his side dropping into the relegation zone, as they drew 2-2 with mid-table Portsmouth.

Eliot Richards and Will Packwood's scored their first Cheltenham goals to give the Robins an advantage after Matt Tubbs had give the hosts the lead. But Ryan Taylor's ninth goal of the season upset the strugglers and made sure Pompey have still only lost one of their last 11 matches. Despite holding their own against their mid-table opposition, Cheltenham returned to the League Two relegation zone, as Tranmere beat Cambridge. And Cheltenham boss Milton was disappointed not to win after taking the lead. He said: "To go 1-0 down after quarter of an hour it was important to get back into it and go ahead as well. "It was a shame we couldn't keep hold of it until half time. "They pegged us back, but second half we were excellent. "We were solid and showed good spirit and you've got to be pleased with a point at Portsmouth. "We might fluctuate in and out of it but it is important we are out of it with a few games to go. It doesn't matter now. "We still have nine games to go and we are on a good run of form and we are consistent and difficult to beat. "The important games coming up are the home ones." Matt Tubbs gave the Pompey the lead when he tapped into an empty net after a strong run from wingback Andy Barcham with 17 minutes on the clock. Just 92 seconds later Cheltenham levelled when Richards grabbed his first Robins goal, as he perfectly struck a volley under Pompey keeper Paul Jones. And Packwood completed the four minute turnaround when he deftly met Matt Richards' deep free-kick with a diving header for his first ever Football League goal. But two minutes before half time Taylor scored for the third game in a row as he powerfully headed in Dan Butler's perfect set-piece. Portsmouth assistant manager Gary Waddock had high praise for his in-form striker. He said: "Ryan's in fantastic form at the moment. His all-round game is very good and he is scoring goals. "He is on top of his game. I'm delighted for him. "It was a frustrating evening but you have to give Cheltenham credit for their game plan. "It set up for a frustrating evening. It's a point gained but we were looking to win the game. We got a good start but they pegged us back very quickly. "I thought the two goals we conceded were poor. We've been solid at the back recently and have limited the opposition to any chances. "We go into every game to win and we were at home. "If we could have got three points and a win it keeps us ticking over, maybe towards the play-offs."