Report: Cheltenham 1-1 Forest Green
Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at a packed World of Smile stadium.
Harry Pell had put the robins in front with a thumping free kick similar to his effort last week against Southport.
Ex-robin Darren Carter equalised on the 70th minute after Jon Parkin had previously skied over a penalty.
The result means Cheltenham remain one point clear at the top of the league.
There was a frantic start to the game with neither team really making the most of their possession, however it could be forgiven due to the hype surrounding the game dubbed 'El Glosico.' Forest Green were the team getting crosses into the box early on, but their efforts were blocked away by the centre half pairing of Daniel Parslow and skipper Aaron Downes.
Dale Bennett whipped in a cross from the right by line shortly after but Dillon Phillips, calm as ever, dealt with it as the game ticked over 10 minutes.
It took until the 13th for the robins to get the ball in the Forest Green box, but Jack Munns' corner evaded all the available Cheltenham heads and went for a goal kick.
Ex-Cheltenham, now Forest Green, midfielder Darren Carter had Dillon Phillips scrambling with his bobbling shot, but luckily for the on-loan keeper it went just wide of the post. Harry Pell's looping header from a free-kick just minutes later also couldn't force Steve Arnold into a save and went over the bar.
After a tense opening 20 minutes, Cheltenham managed to force another chance. Billy Waters and Harry Pell linked up well just outside the box and as the ball fell to the ex-Crewe man on the right wing, he chipped it in to fellow striking counterpart Danny Wright but his header went wide.
Minutes later, the Wright and the robins again had another good attempt at goal. Jack Munns' in swinging corner found an unmarked Danny Wright at the back post but his downward header was first blocked and then cleared away.
Carter again had another good chance to grab his fourth of the season and break the deadlock. He improvised underneath a high ball to pull off an acrobatic effort in the box which had enough sting to force Dillon Phillips to get down low to his left to gather the ball.
In a game which didn't look like it was going to boil over, James Jennings had the honour of being the first player in the book in the 34th minute after a late sliding challenge on Jack Barthram.
Cheltenham's best chance to take the lead came in the 37th minute after Harry Pell held up the ball in the box, he laid if off to an on rushing Billy Waters but his first-time shot from close range went straight at Steve Arnold.
After Billy Waters shot was blocked, the resulting corner fell once again to the head of Danny Wright but he couldn't direct it at goal and went over.
It was fair to say the visitors certainly started the better, but equally fair that the robins finished the half on top with good chances from Waters and Wright.
Into the second 45 and the robins looked the brighter of the two teams. Good work from Jack Munns and Danny Wright forced a Cheltenham corner but unfortunately they couldn't make it count.
In the 51st minute, Darren Carter found himself in the book after a foul just outside the box. Pell stepped up to take the free kick he won and in identical fashion to last week's against Southport buried it into the net to make it 1-0 to the robins and send them four points clear at the top.
Kyle Storer had a good chance to grab his third of the season, as goal scorer Pell turned provider his midfield counterpart up 20 yards out but his chance blazed over the bar.
On the hour mark and controversy in the game, Rob Dickie bundled Kurtis Guthrie over in the Cheltenham penalty box and referee Adrian Holmes pointed to the spot. Jon Parkin stepped up to take it and blazed his shot high over the bar, letting Dickie off the hook.
On the 67th minute, Jack Barthram hobbled off due to injury and was replaced by Ryan Jennings, as the on loan Wigan player made his first Cheltenham appearance at Whaddon Road.
Pell could have had his and the robins' second seconds later, Jack Munns sent in a free kick and with a glancing header Pell forced Arnold into a save low down to his left.
After having to camp in their half for most of the second half, Forest Green were back on terms on the 70th minute. Ex-Cheltenham midfielder Darren Carter finished emphatically from close range after Jon Parkin knocked it down across the face of goal.
Three minutes later and the robins were the width of the crossbar away from getting back in front. The ball dropped to Harry Pell 20 yards and as the midfielder hit the ball on the half volley it beat Steve Arnold, hit the bar but bounced back into play.
Darren Carter looked to get Forest Green in front, but his curling shot on the 80th minute went well over Dillon Phillips' goal.
Both sides had chances to snatch the win at the death but, just like on 22nd September 2015 when the teams last met- the game finished a draw.
Cheltenham Town: Phillips, Barthram (R. Jennings 67'), Downes (C), Parslow (Vaughan 90+3), Dickie, McLennan, Storer, Munns, Pell, Waters, Wright
Subs not used: Kitscha, Hall, Rowe
Forest Green Rovers: Arnold, J. Jennings, Clough, Bennett, Racine, Wedgbury, Frear, Sinclair, Carter, Guthrie, Parkin (c) (O'Connor 83')
Subs not used: Pipe, Marsh-Brown, Kelly, Maxted
Referee: Mr A Holmes
Attendance: 5449 (804 away)