Cheltenham Town's hopes of survival recieved a massive boost this afternoon with a deserved 1-0 victory over Lincoln City. Julian Alsop's 50th minute winner won the game and a dogged defensive display ensured the three points.

Alsop's goal also broke Cheltenham's Football League record of 38 which was held by former winger Martin Devaney. The tenacious display will have pleased Mark Yates and now the Robins must look towards Crewe on Monday.

Cheltenham Town made three changes to the squad that lined up against Macclesfield Town last weekend with Duff, Ridley and Alsop all in the first eleven. Aaron Lescott was ruled out before the game with a knee injury so Dave Bird stepped into the vacant right back role with Josh Low moving back into midfield. Duff replaced Eastham at the heart of the Cheltenham defence and Julian Alsop replaced Louis Almond up front.

2: Lincoln's Matthew Saunders shot from long range to produce the game's first real chance but his effort flew wide of Scott Brown's goal.

6: Good build-up play from Cheltenham which was finished with a teasing Josh Low cross. The ball flew through Lincoln's defence but Julian Alsop's finish was a weak one and was gathered up by Burch.

15: Good spell of attacking football for the Robins was highlighted with a pin point cross from Elito to Alsop but the Lincoln defence were quick to clear their lines.

18: 20 yard snap shot at goal from Matt Thornhill who is getting stuck in today. The shot wasn't powerful enough to cause problems but good attacking play from Cheltenham.

28: Medy Elito is having another good game. Some good play with Lee Ridley allowed him the space to whip in a cross from the left and Richards headered the ball in on target but the keeper saved low.

30: Outrageous half volley attempt from big Julian Alsop which dribbled wide. Cheltenham are on top so far.

39: Cheltenham are looking very dangerous with their crossing today. Another pin point cross from Dave Bird found the head of Alsop who pushed it back into the danger zone but the ball just alluded the stretching Matt Thornhill.

42: Davide Somma should have put Lincoln 1-0 up. A long ball down the left found the on loan Leeds striker but his left foot drive went wide of the far post.

43: Goal line clearance by Lincoln's Joe Anderson who denied Justin Richards from close range. It was a major scramble in the box and the Robins were unlucky not to take the lead.

45: A cross from the left, this time Julian Alsop found the head of Josh Low. He headered it down for Thornhill but the youngster's half volley went wide.

Half Time: Robins 0-0 Lincoln

50 GOAL: Julian Alsop has broken Cheltenham Town's Football League goal scoring record. Josh Low's original shot was cleared off the line but the rebound fell to Alsop who scored his 39th league goal for the Robins to book his place in Robins history.

55: Lincoln are struggling to keep up with Cheltenham now. Alsop almost bagged a brace but his powerful header from Elito's cross was mis-directed away from goal.

62: Medy Elito almost put Cheltenham 2-0 up with a great angled volley but his effort just went wide of the far post.

63: Decent effort from Chris Herd who drove a left footed shot across Brown's goal and wide of the far post.

64 SUBSTITUTION: Lennel John-Lewis replaced former Robin Paul Connor.

68: Good defensive play from both Pook and Townsend in the space of two minutes. Pook halted a dangerous looking Lincoln attack and Townsend produced a fine sliding tackle in his own area to deny Somma a goal scoring opportunity.

71 SUBSTITUTION: Justin Richards was recalled to the bench and replaced with Barry Hayles.

77: Julian Alsop hit the post with a cheeky lift over the keeper following a Hayles flick on. The crowd were already on there feet in anticipation but that was so unlcuky for Alsop.

79 SUBSTITUTION: Nathan Baker made his way on replacing Steven Lennon.

80 SUBSTITUTION: Andy Gallinagh came on for Cheltenham in place of the outstanding Medy Elito.

86: It should have been 2-0. Brown's goal kick was flickedo n by Gallinagh and Hayles found himself with a golden one on one opportunity but he couldn't get his feet right and Lincoln soon cleared the ball from harms way.

87 BOOKING: Scott Kerr was booked for a rash challenge on Thornhill.

89: Top defending from Dave Bird who cleared the falling long ball from Rob Burch and denied Lincoln a way back into the game.

90+2: Cheltenham are defending so well. This will be a very much deserved three points.

Full Time: Robins 1-0 Lincoln

Cheltenham Town (4-4-2): S.P. Brown (GK); Bird, Duff, Townsend (C), Ridley; Low, Pook, Thornhill, Elito (Gallinagh 79); Alsop, Richards (Hayles 71)

Subs not used: Puddy (GK), Eastham, Brown, Hutton, Almond

Lincoln City (4-4-2): Burch (GK); Hughton, Green, Swaibu, Anderson; Lennon (Baker 79), Saunders, Kerr (C), Herd; Somma, Connor (John-Lewis 64)

Subs not used: Musselwhite (GK), Baker, Butcher, Clarke, Keltie, Hutchinson

Referee: S.A. Hooper

Attendance: 3,708 (243 from Lincoln)

Robins Star Man: Julian Alsop - He broke Cheltenham's league goal record and was a constant thorn in Lincoln's side.

James Brown from the Abbey Business Stadium