A second-half wonder strike from Michael Pook secured a 1-1 draw for Cheltenham at Port Vale.
Pook and Richards on the scoresheet
A second-half strike from Michael Pook secured a 1-1 draw for Cheltenham at Port Vale in John Schofield's first game in charge.
Assistant boss Schofield was at the helm after Martin Allen was placed on gardening leave following an alleged incident outside a nightclub last weekend.
The first-half was wide open and it was a near miracle only Vale's top scorer Marc Richards found the net before the interval.
Vale goalkeeper Chris Martin saved well from Michael Townsend and David Bird before Pook's drive was spectacularly cleared off the line by Sam Stockley.
Vale pushed for a second after the break, but Cheltenham soaked up the pressure before equalising in the 66th minute.
A long throw from Dave Bird was only partially cleared and Pook drove a first-time shot from 25 yards which found the top left-hand corner of Martin's net.
Both sides had chances to win it in the closing stages, with Lewis Haldane heading wide from six yards before Bird and Elvis Hammond squandered great opportunities at the other end.
