Cheltenham Town will be in the hat for Monday evening's FA Cup second round draw but their unwelcome record against lower league opposition in the competition continued here with this goalless draw.

At least they avoided defeat in Kent, the club's fate on four occasions since 2013 to sides from a division below.

Ebbsfleet United, under new manager Garry Hill, deserved their replay at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium but boss Michael Duff will demand an improved performance when the two sides meet again in ten days time.

Ben Tozer produced the best moment of the game from a Cheltenham perspective with a second half header, however the encouragement of recent displays against Arsenal Under-21s and Mansfield Town didn't materialise here.

Duff made one change to the side that went so close to beating the Stags last weekend.

Defender Will Boyle withdrew through illness and was replaced by Johnny Mullins on the left of a three-man central defence alongside Ben Tozer (middle) and Jordan Forster.

The manager kept faith with the 3-5-2 formation that served him well in the display against the Stags seven days ago but it was the National League side who better the better start and they went close after 16 minutes when Corey Whitely almost beat Scott Flinders from 12 yards.

Duff's side suffered a setback eight minutes later when Mullins picked up a head injury and was unable to continue.

He was replaced by Tyrone Barnett and with his introduction came a tweak to the formation with the Robins reverting to a back four with Barnett up front on his own.

Kelsey Mooney, on the right, Jacob Maddox and Luke Varney supported the striker while Conor Thomas and Chris Clements shielding the centre half pairing of Ben Tozer and Jordon Forster.

Next there was a chance for Luke Coulson, meeting Myles Weston's ball from the left with a volley but it said a foot over the target.

Then Danny Kedwell, the former AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham forward, glanced a header inches wide from another delivery by Weston.

Duff made his second change five minutes after the restart, replacing Mooney with Alex Addai and they made purposeful start to the second half with Tozer heading narrowly wide.

Addai brought a threat down the right and produced a string of wicked crosses, the best of which picked out Maddox with 16 minutes remaining but the 20-year-old miscued his volley.

Corey Whitely went close in the final stages, but his shot fizzed wide so the two sides must do it all over again at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

EBBSFLEET UNITED (4-4-2): Ashmore; Magri, Clark, Winfield (c), Bush; Weston (Wilson 89), Payne, Coulson (McQueen 79), Adams (King 60); Whitely, Kedwell. Subs not used: Cheek, Miles (Gk), Shields, Graham.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Flinders; Forster, Tozer, Mullins (c) (Barnett 22); Broom, Clements, Maddox, Thomas (Atangana 84), Maddox; Mooney (Addai 50), Varney. Subs not used: Lovett (Gk), McALinden, Field.

REFEREE: J Busby

ATTENDANCE: 1,624 (away tbc)