Cheltenham Town FC

Mark Yates has labeled this afternoon's 2-2 draw a "proper performance."

Robins manager Mark Yates speaking to the media following this afternoon's 2-2 draw against Oxford United: "Without a doubt, we should have won that game. We're up and running now. That's our season started now, it took us seven games, that can happen and we looked much better in every department.

"Last Saturday we thought Terry's goal could have been a winner and would have papered over the cracks. Today, that was a proper performance.

"We were much better in every department, they're a decent side, they're unbeaten and we battered them. If we play like that for the rest of the season we'll be in and around the top, no problem at all.

"Maybe we've been a bit lightweight and airy-fairy in areas but we've stood up to Oxford today.We set the tone with our aggression, our closing down, our pressing and we played some good stuff at the same time.

"Johnny (Mullins) is a decent lad, he's come in for his first game of the season but I thought we him all sorts of problems. We're disappointed we haven't won but today was the start of our season.

"Terry and Byron have scored two decent goals between them, they could have had a couple more, we could have had a couple of penalties."

There were numerous penalty shouts from the crowd at half-time, but one in particular stood out for Mark Yates.

"Jermaine's been fouled in the first half, I've seen the DVD at half time and it was definitely a penalty. Definitely.

"There are lots of positives from today, lots more than last week. We've drawn with Portsmouth, Oxford are unbeaten and they've shown a bit of character coming from behind twice.

"I'm pleased that we've finally put in a performance that we want to label as our own and that we can use as a benchmark to kick on for the rest of the season."

New loan signing James Wilson started today's match alongside Steve Elliott in defence after joing from Bristol City yesterday. They 24-year old impressed Yates on his debut for the club.

"I thought he was superb. In the first half I thought Kitson caused us a few problems and we probably made our own downfall by playing a little deep but once we got to grips with it, I thought James was excellent and he can be pleased with his debut for us."