WITH fireworks exploding behind Whaddon Road, the home to Cheltenham Town, Yeovil Town fans hoped for the same on the pitch to end a run where the Glovers have taken only five points from seven.

Manager Russell Slade rang the changes with summer-signing Gary Dempsey and James Walker making their full debuts in midfield and attack respectively and captain Terry Skiverton returning from injury.

Anthony Barry and Justin Cochrane dropped to the bench for the West Country derby at League One's bottom club, with Manchester United loanee Ritchie Jones making a rare start.

Despite the changes Cheltenham were the first to demonstrate attacking potential with Steve Mildenhall's feet denying a strong shot from Damian Spencer in the second minute.

Yeovil reacted positively and took the attack to the home team moments later. Neat link-up play between Jones and Lloyd Owusu released the midfielder in the box before being muscled off the ball by former Glovers' favourite Jerry Gill.

After seven minutes the visitors' defence was tested again with Mildenhall mopping up well when an effort from Yeovil-born Andy Lindegaard looped towards goal.

As the opening exchanges of the first half came and went Yeovil began passing the ball more comfortably, putting pressure on their opponents. Matty Rose came close with a rasping drive after 13 minutes as the Glovers went in search of the opener.

However these glimpses of class were few and far between until the half hour mark when Owusu brought a dull half to life.

Skiverton in an advanced position nodded the ball to Ritchie Jones over-lapping on the right hand side. His shot from inside the 18-yard box was blocked by a Cheltenham defender before Owusu stabbed the ball into the net for his seventh goal in all competitions.

With seven minutes left before the break Yeovil nearly doubled their lead on the counter-attack. Walker found himself with time and space advancing towards goal.

After trying to engineer a shot on his favoured right foot the Charlton Athletic attacker lashed over the bar with his left.

The Robins had an attempt to bring the score level on the stroke of half time but Spencer could only head an Alan Wright free-kick wide.

Yeovil went in for the break with a one goal advantage, coming out on top during a dour first half. Both teams showed flashes of their attacking endeavour but chances were few and far between.

Half time - Cheltenham Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

The second half got off to a less than favourable start for Yeovil with the previously dominant Rose being replaced after only two minutes by Justin Cochrane through injury.

Moments later the lively Spencer tried his luck from distance before Yeovil marched up the other end of the pitch and created a good chance to double their lead.

Nathan Jones' cross from the left found Owusu unmarked, who could only head wide from ten yards with the goal begging.

After the early scare Cheltenham took the bit between their teeth and tried to force their way through a resilient Yeovil rear-guard, doing their utmost to extinguish an increasingly regular threat.

With Cheltenham almost camping in Yeovil's half the away team found it hard to attack the end that housed more than 300 of their fans.

Shane Higgs between the Robins' sticks was a virtual spectator as compatriot Mildenhall came under siege.

As the hour mark passed in a relatively uneventful encounter Cheltenham began to get more of a grip on the clash. Yeovil appeared to be hanging on but with few ideas to stifle the game.

The Robins, however, were striving to get the ball in the net, putting in a performance that showed their determination to get out of the relegation zone.

With 12 minutes left Slade decided to give the industrious Walker a rest, replacing him with young French striker Wilfried Domoraud.

Cheltenham continued to surge forward and after 86 minutes Spencer had two bites at a good chance but was unable to get a good contact before Yeovil scrambled the ball away.

Their endeavour was rewarded with a deserved equaliser with only two minutes left of normal time. The Yeovil defence stood static and looked on as Alan Wright's cross was met by Gavin Caines who easily headed past Mildenhall.

The Glovers managed to hold on for a point and Cheltenham would have been disappointed for not making their dominance count for more in the second half.

Yeovil failed to make it out of their own half after the break, having no answer to Cheltenham's greater hunger and desire.

Slade's team were yet again denied the points by a late strike against a team, who on paper, they would have expected to beat.

Yeovil travel to Plainmoor on Sunday for the FA Cup clash against Torquay United and will be hoping to kick start a solid run of form with a win.