Caretaker manager Keith Downing's first game in charge ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Oldham Athletic.
Michael Townsend held his nerve to score from the penalty spot at the second attempt to hand his side a first lead with the last kick of the period.
But Oldham got back into the contest within 50 seconds of the interval after a great Andy Liddell strike.
It was a much-improved performance following the disappointing results at Doncaster and Port Vale, and it will be the home side which will be happier of the two sides this evening.
The only black spot of the afternoon came with Jerry Gill's sending off for violent conduct , following an off-the-ball incident involving Michael Ricketts in the 70th minute.
But 10-man Cheltenham dug deep to deny a Latic's side full of attacking verve to claim an important point against one of the stronger teams in League One.
Charlton Athletic midfielder Dean Sinclair, who joined the club on one month's emergency loan yesterday, was pressed into action alongside David Bird in central midfield. Club captain John Finnigan missed the contest with a knee injury so Gill wore the armband for the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Andy Gallinagh continued at left back with Ashley Vincent (on the right) and Jennison Myrie-Williams (left) attacking the flanks.
The post-John Ward era got off to a bright start, although it was Latics' front man Craig Davies who blazed the first clear-cut chance of the day over from 12 yards.
Ricketts, who was turning out for England four years ago, set that chance up after some good work on the right and was teed up by Andy Liddell five minutes later.
On this occasion a heavy touch gave Shane Duff the chance to intervene on the edge of the penalty and divert the danger.
The former Bolton and Middlesbrough striker was at the heart of Oldham's next move down the right, beating Duff on the byline to get a good ball into the middle, although Jerry Gill was on hand to nick it off Davies' toe. Chris Taylor followed up with a strike from 18 yards, but Higgs was equal to it at his near post.
Cheltenham's first real chance of note arrived in mid-way through the first half.
Damian Spencer slipped a perfectly weighted ball between a couple of defenders for the impressive Sinclair to run on to.
The ex-Barnet man cut it back for Paul Connor, who was denied by veteran stopper Mark Crossley from close-range. Ashley Vincent fired the loose ball over from an angle on the right.
Crossley, who was playing in the Premiership with Fulham last term, struggled throughout the first period with injury and it was clear the former Nottingham Forest man was far from full match fitness.
But on the stroke of half time, he was eventually beaten.
Vincent dispossessed left back Ryan Betrand down the right and won a corner for his effort.
David Bird swung the flag-kick in and as Oldham attempted to clear their lines, Ricketts handled the ball and referee Mr. Drysdale pointed to the spot.
Somewhat surprisingly, Michael Townsend confidently claimed the ball and lined up the spot kick, but the centre halve saw his effort blocked by Crossley.
However, the linesman flagged to indicate encroachment by an Oldham defender and the official ordered the kick to be retaken.
This time Townsend made no mistake, thumping the ball down the middle to give his side the lead with the last kick of the first half, and celebrated with caretaker boss Downing.
But Oldham were quick out of the blocks and were level within 50 seconds of the restart.
Ricketts picked up play around the half-way line and lifted a ball towards Neil Kilkenny 25 yards from goal.
The midfielder's flick-header left Gallinagh stranded and opened up an opportunity for Liddell down the inside right channel. The wide man took a touch before beating Higgs at his near post from 18 yards.
Higgs dived to prevent Neil Eardley's 25 yarder a couple of moments later.
Downing moved in the 58th minute to replace Vincent with Craig Reid, while Gavin Caines took Myrie-Williams place with 25 minutes remaining.
But only two minutes later, an injury to Damian Spencer forced the caretaker boss into his third and final switch introducing Adam Connolly to the contest.
His plans were thrown into further disarray 20 minutes from time when a flare-up on the left touchline between Gill and Ricketts sparked an ugly flashpoint between several players from both sides.
When the incident calmed down, Mr. Drysdale flashed a yellow card at Ricketts and ordered the Cheltenham right back from the field of play for violent conduct.
The turning point meant Connolly played out on the left, Reid on the right with Connor operating as the lone ranger.
He was supported well by Sinclair, but the pair couldn't quite combine to forge a clear opening on three or four occasions.
Despite the quality that Oldham possessed, it was the home side who finished the contest in the ascendancy despite the numerical disadvantage.
But although the Latic's chances were restricted to a wayward Ricketts effort with less than ten minutes remaining, the home side will be disappointed not to have examined the injured Crossley to a greater extent.
Higgs denied Gary McDonald at the death, while Matthew Wolfenden blasted the follow-up over, but it ended all square
CHELTENHAM TOWN: Higgs; Gill (c), Duff, Townsend, Gallinagh; Vincent (Reid 58), Sinclair, Bird, Myrire-Williams (Caines 65); Connor, Spencer. Subs not used: Brown (Gk), Connolly, Wylde.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Crossley; Eardley, Hazell, Gregan (c), Bertrand; Liddell, Kilkenny, Allott (McDonald 86), Taylor; Davies (Wolfenden 78), Ricketts. Subs not used: John-Paul Kalala, Thompson, Trotman.
REFEREE: D. Drysdale (Lincolnshire)
ATTENDANCE: 3,621 (391 from Oldham)