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Yates praises Cheltenham show

Image: Mark Yates: We battered them

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates says his side "battered" Tranmere despite having to come from two goals down to earn a 3-2 victory.

Eliot Richards and Marc Laird both scored their first goals for Tranmere as the hosts were 2-0 up at half-time. But Matt Richards pulled one back for the Robins on 67 minutes and moments later Koby Arthur levelled the scores before debutant Jordan Wynter grabbed the winner on 73 minutes. "I thought it was no more than we deserved and I was pleased with the first-half performance despite going 2-0 down," said Yates. "We battered them after going behind, creating chance after chance, but we couldn't quite put it in the net. "We conceded a second, but we said at half-time we'd get something out of the game if we kept believing. "We had a chance straight after the break, hitting the post and you wonder if it's your day. "We needed one goal and it came at a good time from Matt Richards and that goal was massive. "Byron Harrison then flicked on for Koby Arthur to score the second and then there was only ever going to be one winner. "It's one of my best moments since I have been here because we were excellent and I always felt we'd get something from the game." Eliot Richards opened the scoring after latching onto Max Power's pass and finishing with his left foot. Laird, who had covered 60 yards after charging down a shot in his own box, fired in the second a minute before the break. Cheltenham reduced the arrears midway through the second half when Omari Sterling-James' shot was parried and Matt Richards followed up. Two minutes later substitute Arthur made it 2-2 with a superb finish from the edge of the box before on-loan Bristol City midfielder Wynter volleyed home to complete the turnaround. Tranmere manager Rob Edwards said: "We know we have players who are capable of scoring goals, but it was a disappointing day. "We'll look at the DVD and see how we can improve. There is a lot we need to improve on. "Cheltenham had too many chances at goal, so it's the defence that needs improving most. "We were struggling for leaders and we didn't pull together as a side. We can bring some players in, but it's hard to attract good players at this stage of the season. "We want to improve and move forward and hopefully we can bring some new players in soon. "It's a tough day for us all, a very tough day. We tried to take the game to Cheltenham, but it backfired for us. "We have a lot to work on and look at, so we look forward to the next challenge."

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