Cheltenham Town will be playing in the Football League next season. The Robins, in their new home strip and new brand, battled to a 1-1 draw in front of the buoyant home fans.

Grimsby are the victims dropping out of the Football League but the Robins can now look forward and make plans for their future in the Football League. It was Josh Low who opened the scoring but he saw that goal cancelled out by Stanley's Chris Turner.

Other highlights included the return of Scott Brown and a standing ovation for both Julian Alsop and Barry Hayles.

Mark Yates made two changes to his starting line-up ahead of this afternoon's clash with Accrington Stanley with both Julian Alsop and Aaron Lescott making their returns in place of Barry Hayles and Ashley Eastham.

5th minute: First chance of the game fell to Thornhill. The cross was driven in low by Elito on the left and it was intelligent play from Richards who played it back to the on loan midfielder. Thornhill's effort was a decent left footed strike but it took a deflection and went wide for the corner.

7: Almost a costly mistake from Aaron Lescott who gave away possession but the final effort was saved well by Brown.

8: Big chance wasted for Cheltenham Town. Matt Thornhill caught Accrington Stanley in possession but struck his effort far to early to trouble the keeper. He could have perhaps laid Justin Richards off who was onside and in space but a good start from the Robins.

9 GOAL: Cheltenham Town took the lead with a Josh Low strike from within the area. Elito whipped a good cross from the left and it was Richards who collected the ball and set the big winger up for the first of the afternoon.

14: Well it's fair to say Matty Thornhill is looking for a goal today. Third strike of the afternoon from the central midfielder but he dragged his effort wide of the near post.

21: Medy Elito won the Robins a freekick 20 yards from goal. Matt Thornhill stepped up but his effort flew very high over the crossbar.

24 GOAL: Accrington Stanley pulled themselves back into the game through Chris Turner. Symes brought the ball forward from 20 yards and threaded a good ball through Turner who calmly finished past Brown to equalise for Stanley.

35: Michael Pook had a 25 yard effort but it flew high, wide and into the trees behind the C&G stand.

40: Justin Richards is having a great game. It was good hold-up play from the striker on the left wing and an even better pass through to Elito who immediately whipped in a devilish cross but it just bypassed Alsop and Edwards put it out for a corner to deny the incoming Josh Low.

41: Golden opportunity missed for Julian Alsop. It was a terrific header from the corner but Dunbavin denied the effort with a wonderful save. The big man couldn't quite make the rebound and any danger was cancelled out with a defensive clearance.

Half Time: Robins 1-1 Stanley

51: Good freekick whipped in from the right courtesy of Thornhill and Gallinagh provided a decent header across goal. The ball was completely loose but Townsend couldn't capitalise. The linseman had his flag up but the centre back won't want to see that again.

57 SUBSTITUTION: Paul Mullin replaced Peter Murphy.

60: The second half has been a bit of a non-event but Cheltenham are edging towards Football League security and looking comfortable.

67 SUBSTITUTION: Stanley winger Sean McConville was replaced by Billy Kee.

73 SUBSTITUTION: What a great sight. Scotty Brown, who has had so many problems since that horrible night at Ashton Gate, has been brought on to replace Lee Ridley. It's good to see him back. Josh Low has moved to left back with Brown o nthe right wing.

75: Good effort from Julian Alsop who headered in a powerful effort but saw it fly wide of the far post.

76: Outstanding 25 yard effort from Billy Kee who caught his strike so well on the volley but Scott Brown was equal to it and parried it away well.

81 SUBSTITUTION: Barry Hayles was brought on to replace Julian Alsop. Standing ovation for Julian Alsop and rightly so.

88 SUBSTITUTION: Justin Richards has had a good game today but was replaced by Almond to a good round of applause.

Full Time: Robins 1-1 Stanley

Cheltenham Town FC (4-4-2): S.P. Brown (GK); Lescott, Townsend (C), Gallinagh), Ridley (Brown 73); Low, Pook, Thornhill, Elito; Alsop (Hayles 81), Richards (Almond 88)

Subs not used: Puddy (GK), Eastham, Watkins, Hutton

Accrington Stanley FC (4-4-2): Dunbavin (GK), Lees, Edwards, Flynn, Richardson; Turner, Procter (C), Murphy (Mullin 57), McConville (Kee 67); Symes, Grant

Subs not used: Bouzanis (GK), Miles, Joyce, King, Riley

Referee: D. Deadman

Attendance: 3,856 (219 from Accrington)

Robins Star Man: Medy Elito - The on-loan Colchester winger had a good game with a number of quality crosses troubling the Stanley defence.

James Brown from the Abbey Business Stadium