Cheltenham and Rushden all square at half time

Division Three play-off final

Martin Devaney and Paul Hall struck two goals in one first-half minute to keep Cheltenham Town and Rushden & Diamonds level at 1-1 at half-time in their Third Division play-off final.

Cheltenham’s Devaney opened the scores following a lucky rebound off Garry Butterworth after 27 minutes, before a superb solo effort from Jamaican international Hall levelled things for Rushden.

Scott Partridge was first to test goalkeeper Steve Book in the Cheltenham goal, but his shot from distance after four minutes was speculative.

Jamaican international Onandi Lowe’s strength immediately caused Cheltenham problems at the back, but they almost fashioned an opening in the seventh minute.

Michael Duff played a simple lofted through ball for the onrushing Martin Devaney, but Rushden keeper Billy Turley was out quickly to smother the danger.

Rushden winger Paul Hall should have given them the lead after 13 minutes when Lowe played him in on the right flank after holding off his marker.

Hall skipped past two defenders into the box to work an excellent shooting chance but blazed wildly wide with his left foot.

But Cheltenham’s Devaney had a similar chance at the other end moments later, beating two defenders before failing to force Turley into a save.

Cheltenham endured a scare in the 25th minute when keeper Book spilled a Stuart Wardley snapshot from 12 yards.

But the match came to life after 27 minutes when Devaney tricked his way past Rushden’s Tarkan Mustafa and took advantage of a fortunate ricochet off Garry Butterworth to stab home the opener for Cheltenham.

But Rushden were level a minute later after a stunning solo run from Hall ended with the winger lifting the ball over the advancing Book.

Cheltenham fought back strongly, and continued to expose Rushden at the back, but it was the Diamonds who had the best chance to take the lead.

Lowe again had the beating of Lee Williams in the penalty area before firing in a low drive, which Book did well to save, and Stuart Gray then went close from the edge of the box with a follow-up.