Whatever is to be Cheltenham Town's fate, it is unlikely that any other season can match this one for pure drama.

Robins boss Martin Allen often uses boxing terminology in his interviews and it certainly seems that being up against the ropes brings the best out in him and his team.

With three more players departing last week, they travelled to Huddersfield with 12 fully fit professionals, one of whom, striker Leon Constantine, met his new colleagues on the motorway hours before kick-off.

Lee Ridley and his replacement at left-back Shane Duff were both lost to calf injuries early on but that failed to stop Cheltenham racing into a two-goal lead through Constantine's debut strike inside five minutes and another well-taken goal from the rejuvenated Elvis Hammond.

Huddersfield pulled one back before half-time and Cheltenham were reduced to 10 men in the second period after a rush of blood to the head from Josh Low.

With all three substitutes already on, two more players picked up injuries and David Bird was barely able to stand due to a calf problem, but he stayed on along with John Finnigan, who had a gashed knee and a tight hamstring.

As if enough hadn't already gone against the Robins at the Galpharm Stadium, a dubious penalty was awarded against them in the 83rd minute and nobody even seemed to know who it had been given against, such was the softness of the infringement.

But goalkeeper Scott Brown made a tremendous save from Robbie Williams to preserve Cheltenham's slender advantage and they seemed to be on course for a third successive win.

Imperious defending from Drissa Diallo and Michael Townsend kept the Terriers out, but deep into an extortionate total of five minutes' added time, Huddersfield levelled to land what could be a mortal blow to Cheltenham's survival hopes.

This was a performance full of grit, determination and bravery and the exodus of players in recent weeks appears to have galvanised the small group of senior players left at the club.

Constantine, brought in as a replacement for Brentford-bound Damian Spencer, did not take long to make an impact for his new club at the start of a match that had it all.

The Northampton loan man capitalised on a poor defensive header from Tom Clarke and applied a composed finish to stun the home crowd.

Hammond then reached a long ball forward from Andy Gallinagh, skipped inside his marker with great skill and finished calmly for his fourth goal in five games in the 18th minute.

Huddersfield boss Lee Clark hauled off Everton loan striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, who had incensed the home crowd with some lazy play.

Jutkiewicz reacted by throwing his shirt to the ground when he took his place on the bench, causing Clark to throw it back as tempers were frayed.

Huddersfield had appeals for a penalty waved away in the 32nd minute as Gary Roberts went down under a challenge from Andy Lindegaard, but the Terriers reduced the deficit during a strong finish to the half.

Roberts left Lindegaard trailing in his wake before crossing to Danny Cadamarteri, who finished emphatically into the bottom left corner.

Cheltenham were reduced to 10 men when Low was dismissed for stamping on Clarke as the two bickering players went to ground in the 61st minute.

The Terriers were handed a lifeline when Michael Flynn, who almost joined Cheltenham last month, was adjudged to have been tripped by Lindegaard in the penalty area.

But Williams' spot kick was saved, and held at the second attempt, by Brown, low to his left.

A brave block from Finnigan kept out another effort from Williams as the Robins looked set to hold on for only their second away league victory in the past year.

But Booth reached Cadamarteri's cross and looped a header into the six yard box, where Andy Butler nodded into the top right corner to leave Cheltenham with that sinking feeling yet again.

They now face Oldham on Tuesday, and with Low banned and doubts over Finnigan, Bird, Ridley and Duff, Allen is really down to the bare bones.

Huddersfield Town (4-4-2): Smithies; Clarke, Lucketti, Butler, Williams; Pilkington, Goodwin (Flynn 70), Collins, Roberts (Ainsworth 81); Jutkiewicz (Cadamarteri 32), Booth. Subs not used: Eastwood, Bennett.

Cheltenham Town (4-4-2): Brown; Lindegaard, Diallo, Townsend, Ridley (Duff 8, Finnigan 28); Low, Bird, Gallinagh, Bignall; Hammond (Watkins 55), Constantine. Subs not used: Puddy, Durrant.