Cheltenham Town slipped to their second defeat of the season in the Central League this morning against Bristol Rovers in a match played at Yate Town's ground.
Michael Duff was present to get another look at some of his new players in competitive action but probably came away with more questions than answers after a young, energetic Rovers team edged the contest with a second half goal.
Cheltenham began well enough and dominated the first half without creating a great deal in front of goal. George Lloyd was the standout Robins player on the day and he saw a couple of first half efforts saved by the goalkeeper while Sam Jones put one wide from the edge of the box.
After the break Chris Clements went close with a free-kick from just outside the penalty area after Lloyd had been fouled but the longer the game went on, the more chances Rovers began to create.
Rhys Lovett was forced to dive sharply onto low shots by Deon Moore and Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist and the only goal of the game arrived on 67 minutes. Moore got away down the left-hand side, beating stand-in right-back Tom Smith and crossing low for Cameron Allen to touch in from close range.
Jones went close for Cheltenham with a header from a Clements corner but Lovett was forced to make to excellent saves late on from Cam Hargreaves and Ben Morgan.
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Lovett; Smith, Richards, Tozer, Debayo; Kalala (Addai 46), Thomas (Handley 79), Clements, McAlinden (Price 79); Jones, Lloyd. Other subs: Lapworth (Gk), Brennan