Steve Cotterill ‘had a funny idea’ George Miller would shine in sub role

Steve Cotterill predicted George Miller’s winning goal for Cheltenham against 10-man Salford 24 hours before it came to fruition.

After his midweek exertions in Tuesday’s draw at leaders Bromley, Miller was replaced up front by Josh Davison to face the play-off chasing Ammies.

But he went on from the bench and headed in the stoppage-time winner that sealed a 3-2 victory for the Robins, while denting Salford’s play-off bid in League Two.

“I said to George on Friday, I had a funny idea he might come into the game and score,” Cotterill said.

“I don’t know if he’d have scored if he’d have started the game. Josh did a lot of fighting, a lot of grappling, backing in and a lot of running.

“After Tuesday night, I thought George would be better coming into this game 20 minutes to go-ish. I thought he’d get a chance, great ball and a great header.
Chuffed to bits for him and for all of them.”

Jorge Grant thumped Salford ahead after six minutes but the visitors had captain Luke Garbutt sent off early in the second half for a foul on Jake Bickerstaff in the box, with Isaac Hutchinson converting the resulting penalty in the 51st minute.

The 10 men restored their lead when former Southampton defender Zach Awe marked his full debut with a 76th-minute goal.

But the Robins produced a fine late turnaround.

First a piece of individual brilliance from young Wrexham loanee Harry Ashfield made it 2-2 with six minutes left.

And fellow substitute Miller struck six minutes into added time to end Cheltenham’s run of six without a win.

Karl Robinson felt decisions went against his team, whose play-off hopes suffered a blow after a third successive league defeat.

“Of the bits we had control of, I am most disappointed with their second goal,” the Salford boss said.

“That’s something we have to accept. The other aspects of it, we’ll keep our thoughts internal on that.

“For 11 v 11 we were very good. We showed an impetus and control, up until the sending off and the penalty.

“It’s a double whammy when that happens and when two people come together fairly like that, it wasn’t like Garbs was seeking to gain an advantage. Both of them had hold of each other.

“To see 10 minutes added time go up, I find baffling, but we have to accept it.

“I’ll speak to the referee as you’d imagine and make sure we keep learning.

“We are not out of it and there are 15 games left. We are working so hard to turn it around and make it happen.”