The Robins fell to a 1-0 defeat to Carlisle United at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Sam Lavelle’s first half goal was the difference between the two sides as all three points headed back with the already relegated Cumbrians.

“Very disappointed with our performance and the whole night,” said Town manager Darrell Clarke post-match.

“We went out with a plan to get the ball down, get the ball to Jordan Thomas and Josh Harrop, look after the ball and get at them.

“We've got people not taking enough responsibility with the ball and then at half-time I’m searching for answers and I’m not coming up with the right solutions at the minute.”

The opening chance of the game fell to the hosts in the sixth minute after Liam Sercombe’s cut back found Joe Nuttall but he couldn’t steer his effort on target.

This spurred the visitors into action with George Kelly forcing a shot wide before both Luke Armstrong and Jack Armer saw whistling efforts go wide of the upright.

After Nuttall fired one over himself, the Cumbrians took the lead not long before the break as Lavelle found himself free at the back post from the second ball of a corner to tap into an open net.

A flicker of hope came before the break for the Robins as Thomas burst in behind and cut inside before his goal bound shot was well blocked.

Four half-time changes gave the Robins a new lease of life as they ramped the pressure up on the visitors straight away, still struggling to test Cumbrians keeper Harry Lewis however.

Luke Southwood was the first goalkeeper called into action in the second half as he clawed away Jon Mellish’s chip brilliantly to ensure the deficit wasn't doubled.

Blocked shots from Elliot Bonds and Tom Pett was the closest the Robins came in the closing stages to an equaliser but it was to end 1-0 to the visitors, making it three defeats in a row for Clarke's side.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-3-3): Southwood; Long (c), Davies, Bradbury, B. Williams (Ferry 46); Sercombe, Pett, Kinsella (Bonds 46); Thomas (Shepherd 46), Nuttall (Keena 64), Harrop (Lloyd 46). Subs not used: Pardington (Gk), Olayinka.

CARLISLE UNITED (3-4-1-2): Lewis; Lavelle, Huntington (c), Barclay; Back (Ellis 70), Neal, Robinson, Armer; Mellish; Kelly (Kayode 70), Armstrong. Subs not used: Breeze (Gk), Harris, Diamond, Emmanuel, Dudik.

REFEREE: D Rock

ATTENDANCE: 4,692 (391 from Carlisle)