Cheltenham Town 1-0 Cambridge United: Robins earn first win of the season - BBC Sport

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Cambridge United: Robins earn first win of the season

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Darrell ClarkeImage source, Rex Features
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Cheltenham have picked up four points in their last two League One outings under head coach Darrell Clarke

Cheltenham Town's first win of the season is a "building block" for the team, according to head coach Darrell Clarke.

Liam Sercombe's early goal was enough to sink Cambridge United and earn Cheltenham their first win of the season.

The midfielder beat goalkeeper Jack Stevens with a deft chip from 20 yards in the fifth minute.

It was only the Robins' second league goal of the season, but League One's bottom club are already showing signs of improvement under new boss Clarke.

They had picked up a creditable 1-1 draw with Derby County in their previous league outing.

"Credit must go down to the players for this, they bought into what we've been trying to do over the last two, three weeks," Clarke told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I don't think we gave many chances away, I thought we defended our box superbly and it's another building block - but that's all it is.

"From the Derby game where we got the monkey off our back with the goal and now we get the monkey off our back of the win, so plenty of hard work ahead but you've got to enjoy the moment as well."

Cheltenham started well against a Cambridge side who were winless in six.

Liam Smith forced a save from Stevens a minute before Sercombe's goal and Tom Bradbury was also close in the 11th minute.

Rob Street's header from Sean Long's crossed drifted just past the far post before half-time.

James Olayinka tested Stevens early in the second half, but Cambridge were close a leveller when Michael Morrison's close-range header cleared the bar in the 70th minute.

Street saw another headed effort turned over by a flying Stevens three minutes later and Smith was denied by Morrison's block late on, but Cheltenham had done enough to end their 175-day wait for a win.

"I'm pleased for everyone at the club really," Clarke added.

"Certainly our supporters have been suffering over a period of time and hopefully this gives a little bit of hope with plenty of games to go."

Match details supplied by PA Media.

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