Hull City v Cheltenham Town, 02 September 2000

The teams were divided by the length of the Third Division table as Hull went back to the bottom of the Football League for the first time since January 1999 while Cheltenham continued their amazing rise under Steve Cotterill to take top spot. Although without a 2000/01 League win, City had given good cause for optimism in their earlier showings but they could have no complaints on this occasion. Without the skills of Jamaican international Theo Whitmore, the Tigers repeatedly gave the ball away and lost more inspiration when they lost John Eyre with a back problem before the interval. Once the injury-hit Robins went ahead, there was only one winner. Julian Alsop's first goal since joining from Swansea put them in front. The big targetman was allowed to control Martin Deveney's left wing cross to beat Lee Bracey from eight yards. Deveney - who scored his first senior goal in the 1-1 draw at Boothferry Park in January - was at it again. With Hull waiting for an offside flag, the former Coventry trainee raced away down the left before converting with ease. Town could well have increased their lead as City endured a thoroughly miserable afternoon.