Cheltenham Town were condemned to a 1-0 away at Accrington Stanley at the Wham stadium.

Accrington Stanley started the better of the sides as the Robins fell behind inside a minute thanks to Sean McConville, as he poked home the hosts opener with just 34 seconds gone. 

After going behind, the Robins piled on the pressure as they hunted for an equaliser with Ryan Broom's shot from the edge of the box being blocked.

More troubles came for Cheltenham, when Sean Long went down injured before 20 minutes had been played but the striker was able to continue.

The hosts went close to doubling their lead when Mitch Clarke cut the ball back to Liam Coyle, but he dragged his effort wide.

Accrington continued to have the better of the chances. After getting caught out at the back Whalley was destined to make it 2-0 but thanks to an outstanding save from Luke Southwood, the score remained 1-0.

The Robins enjoyed a good spell of possession, moving the ball around the Accrington penalty area, but the attack came to nothing as Liam Sercome's effort was over the bar.

Cheltenham's best chance of the half came just before the whistle when Cayleb Taylor towered over the opposition to direct his header back across goal, but was eventually saved by Lukas Jensen.

Early into the second half and Cheltenham thought that had their equaliser when Broom's attempt from the edge of the box was well blocked by a swarm of Accrington defenders. 

With an hour played, the game was nicely poised with the Robins playing the better football of the two sides since coming out for the second period. 

Cheltenham kept knocking on the Accrington door with some nice interplay between Dan Nlundulu, Broom and Alfie May in and around the hosts penalty box, but May's attempt was just wide of the post.

With less than 15 minutes to play Taylor Perry tried his luck with an ambitious effort from 25 yards out but it sailed high into the away stand. 

Cheltenham refused to go down without a fight as Alfie May's effort was heading towards the back of the net before being headed off the line.

Minutes later, Broom's strike rocketed into the side netting as the Robins edeged ever so closer to an eqaliser. 

But the hosts were able to see out the six additional minutes and walk away with all three points. 

Cheltenham: Southwood, Long (c), Freestone, Sercombe, Nlundulu, Taylor, Ferry (Williams 67), Lloyd (May 57), Jackson (Norton 67), Perry, Broom

Un-used subs: MacDonald, Raglan, Chapman, Barkers

Accrington Stanley: Jensen, Clark, Astlety, Coyle, Whalley, Leigh (Hamilton 75), Pritchard (Sangare 83), McConville, Rodgers (Solane 59), Conneely (c), Tharme 

Un-used subs: Savin, Nolan, Martin, Fernandes

Referee: Stephen Martin

Attendance: 1996 (137 Away)