A goal in either half condemned the Robins to a 2-1 defeat against Lincoln City at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Liam Sercombe’s 15^th minute penalty gave Town the lead but despite man of the match Luke Southwood’s best efforts, goals from Joe Taylor and Freddie Draper saw the Imps leave with all three points.

“I'm gutted first of all but we’ve still got to try and take it to the final game of the season,” said manager Darrell Clarke post-match.

“We’ve got to win Tuesday night and anything can happen on the last game.

“We’ve got to appreciate moments in the game today where we should score in the first half where we’ve had some golden opportunities.”

Buoyed by Tuesday’s win, the Robins flew out of the blocks with Will Ferry bearing down on goal early on although he was unable to sort his feet out in time.

The visitors soon reminded those watching why they are a play-off challenger as Joe Taylor went through on goal himself, only to be denied by a smart Southwood save.

The end-to-end action continued as Jordan Thomas spun on the edge of the box before firing over moments later.

However, two minutes later he stole in front of Danny Mandriou before being brought down and referee Thomas Kirk immediately blew for a penalty.

Up stepped Sercombe who blasted the ball into the roof of the net to put Town in front.

As half-time approached, Thomas found himself in on goal but a vital touch from a Lincoln defender denied him. Seconds later Joe Taylor was riding Robins challenges before he unleashed a pinpoint finish into the top left corner. 1-1.

The Imps continued their momentum into the second half with Southwood denying Alex Mithcell well at the near post to keep things level.

But three minutes later, the visitors led after a sustained attack, which included Southwood making another superb save before Draper fired a volley into the bottom corner.

Southwood was again there to deny Lincoln a third as he rushed out to deny Joe Taylor with the goal at his mercy.

A great chance fell the way of the Robins five minutes later as Ferry’s dinked ball picked out substitute James Olayinka but as he tried to fashion an opening, goalkeeper Lukas Jensen rushed out to smother the ball and the Robins’ hopes of a result.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (5-4-1): Southwood; A. Smith, Kinsella, Long (c), Davies, Bradbury (Harrop 71), Williams (Shepherd 57); Thomas (Olayinka 68), Sercombe, Bonds (Nuttall 57), Ferry; Taylor. Subs not used: Pardington (Gk), A. Smith, Obieri.

LINCOLN CITY (3-5-2): Jensen; Mitchell, O’Connor (c), Jackson; Sorensen, House, Erhahon, Mandriou (Burroughs 90), Roughan; Taylor (Makama 81), Draper (Moylan 86). Subs not used: Wright (Gk), Eyoma, Makama, Okoro.

REFEREE: T Kirk

ATTENDANCE: 5,323 (1,053 from Lincoln)