Cheltenham Town bowed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the second of their three match series against Brighton & Hove Albion within the space of 10 days.
Brighton raced into a two goal first half lead with an impressive performance in the first 45 minutes.
However, Paul Connor gave the Robins a lifeline just before the break and Cheltenham enjoyed by far the better of the second half. Chances came and went and Connor struck the post five minutes from time before two late goals gave the scoreline a distorted look.
Nevertheless, Robins boss Keith Downing could take heart from another gutsy performance that could have gone Cheltenham's way with a bit more composure at both ends of the field.
Downing named three changes to the starting line-up with Lee Ridley recalled to the left-back spot after injury in place of the rested Alan Wright and Michael Wylde replacing Shane Duff (calf injury) for his first start of the season.
Loan signing Dean Sinclair returned to the side having been ineligible for the weekend FA Cup match against Brighton. He replaced Ashley Vincent with Adam Connolly switched to the right-hand side of midfield.
Cheltenham made an encouraging start and had the first chance of the contest with only four minutes played. Ridley was brought down 25 yards from the Brighton goal and Jerry Gill, with a piledriving free-kick, shot just wide with Brighton goalkeeper Michel Kuipers forced to fly across his goal.
Brighton hit back winning two corners in quick succession but Adam Connolly broke clear for Cheltenham and fed Steven Gillespie, who dragged his shot across the face of goal from the edge of the area.
However, with 13 minutes gone the home side took the lead. Dean Cox, who looked a clever little player during Saturday's FA Cup tie, swung in a corner that was cleared only to the edge of the box. Frenchman David Martot was left alone in space 20 yards out and he had the time to pick his spot just inside Shane Higgs' right-hand post.
Cox almost scored a second goal from a similar distance four minutes later when he cut inside onto a cross from Nicky Forster and bent a shot marginally wide.
It was proving an open game and encouragingly for Cheltenham, Brighton continued to push forward leaving chances to attack on the break.
Gillespie and Damian Spencer combined to set up Sinclair for a shot that he placed wide, although a mis-hit clearance from Higgs gave Cox another chance to shoot. This time the effort was on target but Higgs recovered his ground to make a save.
At the other end, a shot from Gillespie was too hot for Brighton goalkeeper Michel Kuipers to handle and Damian Spencer wellied a shot wide from 15 yards as Cheltenham searched enthusiastically for an equalising goal.
Gillespie saw a long-range shot deflected over the crossbar but Brighton doubled their advantage eight minutes before the break.
Martot was involved again, receiving a pass down the right-hand side and finding the space to cross for Forster, the former Reading and Birmingham City striker, who rose highest in the box to direct a header just inside the far post.
Brighton played some very good football in the minutes leading up to half-time and Higgs was forced to dive upon a shot from Nathan Elder; but Cheltenham earned themselves a route back into the game two minutes into first half injury-time.
Spencer's strong run forged an opening for Sinclair and he slipped the ball between two defenders for Paul Connor, who took a touch before shooting low past Kuipers to claim an overdue but well earned first goal of the season.
Cox had the first chance of the second half with a half-volley that cleared the crossbar; then Forster ran on to a clever flick from Cox but his low cross just evaded Elder, sliding in at the far post.
Higgs spilled a powerful drive from midfielder George O'Callaghan but recovered to block Elder's follow-up shot, although he had no trouble moments later when a low, driven free-kick from Cox travelled straight to him.
Still Cheltenham were making plenty of headway in attack and they almost grabbed a fortunate equaliser just past the hour mark. Sinclair's corner was missed by a defender, hit the unsuspecting Gillespie in the face and fell for Gavin Caines whose shot was blocked just short of the goal line.
If Cheltenham were going to get back into the game Gillespie appeared most likely to be the man to do it and he almost got through with two determined solo dribbles through the Brighton defence mid-way through the second half. The first was ended by a last-ditch tackle by a defender and the second ended with a shot just wide of the posts from the edge of the box.
Cheltenham piled players forward in the closing stages and came desperately close to an equaliser with five minutes left.
Gillespie was the architect again, threading a pass through and leaving Connor with only Kuipers to beat. The Dutch goalkeeper parried his initial shot and when the rebound fell for him six yards out, Connor side-footed against the post from a 45 degree angle.
That proved to be Cheltenham's last chance and the game was put to bed three minutes from time when Forster broke clear with most of the Robins team committed up field. The experienced marksman took his time before beating Higgs with an emphatic finish.
Substitute Bas Savage added insult to injury in the 90th minute when he touched in at the far post from a Forster cross.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (4-4-2): Kuipers; El-Abd, Butters, Lynch, Richards; Martot, O'Callaghan (Whing 88), Fraser (Hammond 75), Cox; Forster, Elder (Savage 68). Subs not used: Sullivan (Gk), Robinson
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Higgs; J.Gill (Gallinagh 75), Caines, Wylde, Ridley; Connolly (B.Gill 59), Sinclair, Bird, Spencer (Vincent 79); Gillespie, Connor. Subs not used: Brown (Gk), Reid
REFEREE: K.A. Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
ATTENDANCE: 2,490