Town were comfortably beaten by Bristol Rovers 3-1 at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium to leave Darrell Clarke's side five points from safety.
Liam Sercombe’s consolation goal wasn’t enough to answer back goals from Scott Sinclair, Brandon Aguilera and Elkan Baggott.
“It was another tough afternoon for us," said Town Manager Clarke.
“The confidence is not there at the minute, we’re walking wounded. The boys are putting bodies on the line but we’re falling short.
“We have to regroup and go again."
The first real chance came after 12 minutes which is where we saw our first piece of action.
A Robins chance from the deep throw-in of Sean Long soon turned into a Rovers counter attack. The Gas cleared their lines and sent Sinclair in behind, who had the simplest job of slotting past Luke Southwood between the sticks, to give Rovers their first goal in seven games.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty after 36 minutes after Antony Evans was sent tumbling by an on rushing Southwood, leaving Referee Paul Howard no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Evans but the keeper guessed the right way to prevent Rovers from doubling their lead.
Long’s high cross into the box from a free-kick near the halfway line threatened Rovers. It was caught by the wind and caused Rovers keeper Matthew Cox some trouble as he failed to claim it, but despite their best efforts, the Robins were unable to find a way through.
Their best chance of the half fell to George Lloyd who’s free header inside the six yard box was caught with ease by Cox just before the half-time whistle.
The Gas continued the second half in the same fashion as they did the first, and found a second goal through substitute Aguilera after 56 minutes. His low effort across the face of goal beat a fully stretched Southwood, leaving a mountain to climb.
A third was added after 76 minutes, as a corner was met by Baggott in the air who rose highest before directing his header straight into the bottom corner.
The Robins netted a late consolation goal from through top scorer, Liam Sercombe, who danced his way through and poked the ball past Cox for his tenth of the season.
Town thought they had a second goal in the dying embers, only for substitute Matty Taylor’s effort, which looped over Cox in goal, was ruled out after the striker was deemed to be offside.
CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-2-3-1): Southwood; Long (C), Davies, Smith (Sercombe 62), Shepherd; Pett (Harrop 7) (Nuttall 46), Bonds; Ferry, Keena (Thomas 62), Kinsella; Lloyd (Taylor 46). Subs not used: Pardington (Gk), Olayinka
BRISTOL ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Cox; Hunt, Wilson (Taylor 83), Baggott, Vale; Rossiter (Conteh 51), G.Ward (Aguilera 22); Thomas, Evans (C), Sinclair; Martin. Subs not used: J.Ward (Gk), Hoole, McCormick
REFEREE: P Howard
ATTENDANCE: 5,501 (1,509 from Bristol)
