Alex Addai was the hero once more to score the only goal as Cheltenham Town made it six unbeaten away from home in all competitions with a victory at Swindon Town in an FA Cup first round replay at the Energy Check County Ground.
Goalkeeper Scott Flinders produced an outstanding performance for the Robins, saving a third minute penalty before making a string of good saves during the 90 minutes.
Playing with confidence, Cheltenham went ahead in the 50th minute courtesy of a brilliant individual goal from Addai and despite hitting the post twice, the hosts failed to find a route back into the game as the Robins set up a second round tie with Port Vale at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Manager Michael Duff made two changes from the side that made it five matches unbeaten away from home with a 0-0 draw at Exeter City on Saturday, with both alterations up front as Jonte Smith and Addai came in for Luke Varney and Gavin Reilly.
Addai was the 93rd minute hero at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium just over a fortnight ago, netting moments after Jerry Yates’ late opener to force this replay in Wiltshire, setting up a fifth meeting between the two Robins in just under 12 months.
It was the two new strikers in the side that pressed high early on and forced an early chance as Smith charged down Ellis Iandolo before Addai and Ryan Broom were crowded out in the box.
But Swindon had a golden opportunity to take an early lead from the penalty spot inside the third minute when Kaiyne Woolery was fouled by Charlie Raglan, however the usually reliable Michael Doughty was kept out by Scott Flinders, saving low to his left before Rob Hunt blazed the rebound high into the empty Stratton Bank End.
Buoyed by the save, Cheltenham pushed on and Ben Tozer played an excellent cross-field pass into the path of Sean Long, who drove into the box and delivered a great cross of his own which caused havoc, only for Addai’s close range shot to deflect out for a corner.
Yates then turned and played Hunt through on the wide right and his effort was better this time as he forced Flinders to parry the ball at full stretch as the match started in a very end to end manner.
Cheltenham were forcing plenty of corners at the Town End though and there was another chance, this time for Chris Hussey, as Jake Doyle-Hayes’ corner was met by him at the second attempt, but it went high above the stand.
The lively Yates was then picked out unmarked with a cross from Diallang Jaiyesimi at the other end, only for his header to clip the outside of the post – as Long made way for Chris Clements having picked up a knock, with Connor Thomas moving out to right-wing-back.
The Robins continued to put balls into the box at will, with Thomas in his new position finding Broom, only for the Welshman’s attempted header to squirm well wide just after the half hour mark.
Addai’s pace then caused real trouble as he burst down the left before drilling a low cross that just had too much on it for Smith, as an entertaining half ended all square after Jaiyesimi tested Flinders one more time.
Jaiyesimi was at it again straight after the interval, cutting past Thomas with some quick footwork to fire at the in-form Flinders, who saved the day once more with a stellar block at the near post.
But the game finally had a breakthrough and it was Addai with a fine finish to send the away fans packed in the top corner of the Arkell’s Stand wild after 50 minutes.
The pacey forward beat his man and drove forward into the box before unleashing an unstoppable right footed shot across goal and into the bottom corner beyond a full stretch Steven Benda.
Somehow the hosts failed to score five minutes later, hitting the post for a second time through Doughty after being put clean through on goal.
A flurry of yellow cards were handed out to players on both sides as Duff’s side repelled wave after wave of Swindon attack with some great defending to close out the result to make it eight unbeaten against their hosts and to keep a third straight clean sheet in Wiltshire.
SWINDON: Benda (Gk), Fryers, Rose (Sanokho 75), Baudry ©, Yates, Doughty, Woolery, Iandolo (Reid 88), Lyden, Hunt, Jaiyesimi (Twine 83).
Subs not used: McCormick (Gk), Broadbent, Twine, Curran, Zakuani.
ROBINS: Flinders (Gk), Long (Clements 31), Hussey, Tozer ©, Raglan, Thomas, Broom, Addai (Lloyd 80), Doyle-Hayes, Greaves, Smith (Reid 60).
Subs not used: Lovett (GK), Sheaf, Boyle, Ince.
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Attendance: TBC