An impressive second half performance by Gloucester meant Town’s longest journey of the season ended in a disappointing defeat.
Town started the better with Chris Hall just failing to reach Adam Bolder’s ball across the area and the recalled Michael Woods was played in by Cleveland Taylor but he was forced wide of the goal and the move came to nothing.
It took almost twenty minutes for the Tigers to pose a threat when Lewis Hogg and Charlie Griffin combined to create an opening for Joe Parker who forced Craig MacGillivray into a full length save.
Town kept up the momentum,and Bolder found Taylor who cut across the area and tested Mike Green with a low shot.
Anton Brown shot wide after Hall had been blocked by a last ditch tackle by Green,but it was Gloucester who took the lead with the last action of the half.
A run and pass by Matt Groves found Parker in the penalty area and he hammered the ball into the back of the net.
Incredibly within four minutes of the restart Town were in front.
On 47 minutes,Jack Harris scythed down Brown and Matt Heath glanced in Steve Mallory’s superbly delivered free kick.
Two minutes later,MacGillivray’s long clearance was knocked past Green by Ashley Worsfold to give Town the lead.
Town’s joy was shortlived when a few minutes later Hogg’s incisive through ball was slotted home by Parker.
It was Town’s turn to attack with an excellent crossfield pass from Woods releasing Taylor who drove into the side netting.
Another free kick from Mallory found the head of Hall,but his effort flashed wide of the upright.
That was as good as it got for Town, as the Tigers finally unleashed their claws.
On 65 minutes,good work by Parker saw him chip through the middle for Jake Gosling to shoot past MacGillivray.
Shortly afterwards,Gosling returned the compliment with a defence splitting pass which enabled Parker to complete a brilliant hat trick.
Mallory then earned himself a yellow card with a foul on Parker which saw the striker take no further part in the match.
Gloucester still had time to make it five when a long crossfield pass found Griffin unmarked in the box and he duly shot into the far corner to complete the victory.
Town
1 MacGillivray, 2 Bloomer, 3 Merris, 4 Brown, 5 Mallory, 6 Heath (c), 7 Taylor (Nelthorpe 77), 8 Bolder, 9 Hall, 10 Worsfold, 11 Woods (Smith 67).
Unused subs, 15 Samuels, 16 Sellars, 18 Crook Bookings Bloomer, Mallory,Taylor.
Scorers Heath 47, Worsfold 49. Att.317
By John Harrison
