CHELTENHAM TOWN 1

ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

ALDERSHOT are in a great position to reach the play-offs following their last-gasp victory at Whaddon Road on Saturday.

Dean Morgan, fast becoming the side's talisman, scored a superb winner in injury time to leave Aldershot fifth in the table with two games to play.

Cheltenham, meanwhile, having seen a draw snatched from their grasp, still need a point to ensure their survival in League Two.

Aldershot trailed 1-0 at half-time but fought back in typical style to score two decisive goals in the second half.

Once again, manager Kevin Dillon was not afraid to tinker with his side during this strong late-season surge.

He gave striker Damian Spencer a first start against his former club, recalled left-back Andy Sandell after a troublesome injury, and put John Halls, a long-time absentee, on the bench.

With Spencer and Marvin Morgan forming a power-packed partnership up front, and Dean Morgan and Marlon Jackson patrolling the flanks, Aldershot's attacking intent was clear from the start.

But Cheltenham were in no mood to roll over and Jamie Young was the busier keeper early on, getting a strong fist to Michael Pook's testing shot and then racing off his line to foil ex-Woking forward Justin Richards.

Aldershot responded with a stooping header from skipper Anthony Charles that flew over the top, but it was Cheltenham who made the breakthrough after 14 minutes.

Charles' weak backpass put Young under pressure and the keeper was adjudged to have baulked Barry Hayles. Richards blasted in the penalty to register his 15th goal of the season.

The pattern was set for a cut-and-thrust contest. Spencer shot narrowly wide and saw another good effort cannon off team-mate Marvin Morgan.

At the other end, Aaron Brown forced an excellent save from Scott Brown and the visitors missed a great chance to equalise on the half-hour when Spencer, played in by Scott Donnelly, shot over the top when he had only Brown to beat.

Cheltenham then came close to doubling their lead, Hayles' thunderous shot being parried away by Young.

It was a turning-point in the game because, two minutes into the second half, Aldershot drew level.

Referee Phil Gibbs was in no doubt that Richards had handled the ball inside the box and dead-eye Donnelly made no mistake from the spot.

An intriguing contest followed, with Aldershot now looking confident, but Cheltenham still very much in contention.

The home side forced a flurry of corners and Matt Thornhill almost restored their lead with a cracking long-range effort.

With the skilful Halls on for Spencer, Aldershot pushed hard again, forcing a mistake in the Cheltenham defence, and Marvin Morgan's angled shot was touched wide of the far post by Brown.

Cheered on by the 700-plus travelling fans, Aldershot came even closer when Charles' flicked header from a Donnelly corner struck the crossbar.

With three minutes to go, Young, Brown and Julian Alsop challenged for the same ball and, luckily for the Shots, the ball rolled away for a goal-kick as Richards hovered hopefully.

Both the Aldershot players required treatment, but in the 90th minute, it was the visitors who delivered the knockout blow.

It was an outstanding piece of individual play by Dean Morgan who, receiving the ball from substitute Kirk Hudson, lifted it over defender Aaron Lescott and drilled his shot under the helpless Brown.

Anthony Straker nearly added a third in injury time as Aldershot once again demonstrated their ability to transform games in the final minutes.

Kevin Dillon was quick to pay tribute to Aldershot's supporters. "The crowd really got behind the lads and lifted them at the end. They kept going and do did we.

"The players are not getting too carried away. It's in our hands and down to us now. We've put the club in a fantastic position and it'll be nice if we do get into the play-offs," he added with typical understatement.

Cheltenham: SP Brown; Gallinagh, Townsend, Eastham, Lescott; Low, Pook, Thornhill, Elito; Hayles (Alsop 84), Richards. Subs (not used): Puddy, Ridley, Brown, Hutton, Watkins, Almond. Booked: Richards.

Aldershot: Young; Blackburn, Brown (Winfield 90), Charles, Sandell; Jackson (Hudson 89), Donnelly, Straker, D Morgan; Spencer (Halls 76), M Morgan. Subs (not used): Jaimez-Ruiz, Connolly, Soares, Hylton.

Referee: Phil Gibbs.

Attendance: 3,386 (767 from Aldershot).

* Aldershot host Lincoln City on Saturday and complete their league programme with a tough match at Morecambe on May 8.