Injured Bird comes back on to score Town's winner at Shepshed (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Injured Bird comes back on to score Town's winner at Shepshed

CIRENCESTER Town's never-say-die attitude was fully exemplified on Saturday by Alan Bird who, having been stretchered off 15 minutes from time, returned to score his side's winner in a 3-1 league victory at Shepshed.

On a rain-sodden pitch, the hosts started confidently and Town keeper Paul Thompson had to come quickly off his line twice to take dangerous crosses from Robert Johnson.

It was Cirencester who created the first real opening when Griffin found Ben Fitch in space but his close range shot was well saved by keeper Richard Keeling.

It was Keeling to the rescue shortly after when saving bravely at the feet of Adam Mayo.

Shepshed countered with a great run from Johnson and again Thompson did well to gather with Martyn Emery set to challenge.

Mid-way through the half, the away team were forced to make a change with the injured Fitch replaced by Michael Davis.

As the end-to-end action continued, Mayo saw his 20-yard effort sail just over the bar before Thompson had to come quickly off his line to deny Emery.

Five minutes before the break, the hosts opened their account when Cirencester failed to clear a cross from the right and Tim Wilkes worked his way into space to fire home a low shot into the bottom, left-hand corner.

Centurions, who came out for the second half looking an entirely different side, were immediately on the attack.

Twice Andy McCabe broke free down the left and on each occasion keeper Keeling did well to cut out dangerous crosses.

The half was only 15 minutes old when Cirencester got back on level terms. A Thompson clearance was flicked on by Griffin and Gareth Hopkins made no mistake from 12 yards for his eight goal in consecutive league games.

Within ten minutes the visitors got their nose in front. From a Davis free kick from the right, Hopkins headed on and Darren Robison sneaked his way in to get a back header through the hands of keeper Keeling.

The home side threw everything at Cirencester and it was in this period that Bird was carried off 15 minutes from time.

But realising Town had already used all their substitutes and were in effect down to ten men, physio Roger Loade worked miracles to get Bird back up and running for the final five minutes.

And it was Bird who got on to the end of a Scott Griffin cross two minutes from the end to score Town third to put the game beyond the reach of a battling Shepshed Dynamo side.

Cirencester: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Jackson, Mayo (Richards 78) Wotton, Robison, McCabe, Hopkins (Bevan 78) Griffin, Fitch (Davis 25). Subs: Fraser, Wimble. Referee Wayne Barratt (Halesowen), attendance 132.