Cheltenham Town lost to Accrington Stanley for the first time in six Sky Bet League Two meetings as Billy Kee and Kayden Jackson's goals either side of half-time confirmed a disappointing afternoon at The LCI Rail Stadium.

Despite early pressure from Cheltenham, Kee's 17th goal of the season put John Coleman's team ahead after 21 minutes, nodding in a free header from Sean McConville's corner to give Stanley the lead in Gloucestershire.

Jackson then netted against the Robins for the second time this season, tapping in a second after 62 minutes with his 10th goal of the season.

Both Mo Eisa and second half substitute Brian Graham hit the frame of the goal in the 80th minute, with Eisa smashing the post and Graham crashing against the crossbar straight after.

But it was not going to be Cheltenham's day as Accrington held on for a third straight victory.

Gary Johnson made one change to the team that won at Colchester as Elijah Adebayo came in for Danny Wright to partner Eisa up front.

Adebayo was making his Football League debut after joining on loan from Fulham until the end of the season, but last week's debut goal-scorer Sanmi Odelusi and Will Boyle were not part of the squad due to injury.

Harry Pell was part of the substitutes after recovering from injury, alongside him on the bench were three former youth team players, including Josh Thomas, George Lloyd and Matt Bower.

The best spell of play early on came down the right hand side as clever skill from Callum Johnson saw him beat Taylor Moore twice but on the second occasion his teasing cross was bravely claimed by Scott Flinders.

Billy Kee then headed wide for Accrington before a deep cross from Kevin Dawson was hooked into the arms of Stanley goalkeeper Aaron Chapman by Jerell Sellars in the sixth minute.

Cheltenham were then clean through on goal after 11 minutes when Joe Morrell lifted a sublime pass over to Eisa but the Robins striker smashed his attempt onto the roof of the Speedy Skips Stand when one on one with Chapman.

But Chapman was soon called into action, showing superb reactions to tip Kevin Dawson's half-volley behind for a corner after Moore crossed to the back post.

Manny Onariase then headed the resulting corner over the bar as the hosts began to press for an opener, but it was Accrington who broke the deadlock at the other end after 21 minutes.

After a mix-up in midfield, Carl Winchester conceded a corner and McConville's set-piece was met by an unmarked Kee, who powered his header past Flinders for his 17th goal of the season.

McConville's quality deliveries were causing all sorts of trouble and the prolific Kee was found on his own again but could only direct his header onto the roof of the net as Stanley sought to extend their lead.

Adebayo looped a header wide just a minute before the break before battling his way into the box and striking an effort inches over the top in added time, as Johnson's side went into half-time a goal behind.

Accrington tried to catch Cheltenham out at the start of the second half with a shot at goal from the centre circle but the Robins were switched on straight from kick-off.

It was a scrappy start to the second period, with Kee volleying the only attempt on goal for either side high and wide in the 57th minute, Kayden Jackson then sliced a shot towards goal but Cheltenham managed to clear.

The Robins finally started to move through the gears as the game approached the hour mark, as Eisa had two shots, the first of which was blocked following a clever Morrell free-kick and the second well saved by Chapman from distance.

But on 62 minutes Accrington doubled their lead after a rare error from Onariase led to Jackson being through on goal and the striker beat Flinders to the ball, rolling in a second for Stanley.

Johnson subbed on Pell and Graham in attempt to get back into the game with 67 minutes on the clock, and Pell soon tried his luck from range but his shot was blocked inside a crowded penalty box.

The hosts were then very unfortunate not to pull a goal back in the 80th minute, Eisa struck the post before the rebound fell to Graham who smashed against the top of the crossbar but the visitors somehow managed to keep the ball out.

Cheltenham camme very close again in the final stages as Janoi Donacien hooked the ball off the line as high-flying Accrington held on for the win.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Flinders, Grimes (C), Atangana, Dawson, Winchester, Adebayo (Graham 67), Sellars, Eisa, Morrell, Moore (Pell 67), Onariase. Subs not used: Wright, Bower, Thomas, Lovett (GK), Lloyd.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (4-4-2): Chapman, Hughes, Donacien, Richards-Everton, Nolan, Clark, Brown, Jackson (Zanzala 90), McConville (C), Johnson (Dunne 52), Kee. Subs not used: Williams, Leacock-McLeod, Stryjek (GK), Francis, Rowan.

REFEREE: Kevin Johnson

ATTENDANCE: 2,893 (78 from Accrington)