Ethon Archer’s strike was the difference as the Blues' winless run at Brunton Park continued.
Mike Williamson made four changes to his starting line-up from Tuesday night’s defeat at Walsall - Ben Barclay, Ethan Robson, Taylor Charters and Dominic Sadi entering the XI.
Ethon Archer netted the only goal of the game, after his effort was saved before bouncing into the back of Harry Lewis’ goal.
The Blues started the contest in the ascendancy with the best chance falling to Dominic Sadi on 6 minutes, after drifting inside he lashed an attempt just wide following a great ball by Callum Guy.
Against the run of play early on, it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 17 minutes after Archer’s effort was initially saved by Lewis at his near post, before bouncing into the back of United’s net.
On 22 minutes, Jordan Thomas had Cheltenham’s next opportunity on goal. The midfielder cut inside onto his left-foot, prior to curling a shot over the hosts’ crossbar.
The Robins started to assert their dominance further after the opener, holding the majority of possession in the period that followed, with Thomas also having another very similar chance to the one previously mentioned.
Soon after the half-hour mark, Guy sent a powerful drive towards goal after a great run down the right by the energetic Sadi, but it landed off target.
Sam Stubbs came very close to doubling their advantage on 36 minutes as Harrison Sohna’s delivery from the right came off the Blues’ shot-stopper before landing in the path of the defender, who blazed over the bar.
On the third time of asking, Cheltenham’s Thomas should’ve had his goal. Archer showed great skill and power to drive into the area, before laying a ball across the box to Thomas, whose effort was saved brilliantly by Lewis.
It was a story of the same players having multiple chances for the visitors as Sam Stubbs found himself free in front of goal again, but he was still unable to fire on target and extend his side's lead.
HALF-TIME: United 0-1 Cheltenham Town
Four minutes into the second-half, Thomas had another chance to net his first and the Robins’ second of the day. The midfielder’s shot ultimately went flying over from close range.
After coming on at half-time, Charlie Wyke was forced to leave the action on a stretcher on 59 minutes following a strong challenge by Luke Young, who was shown a yellow card.
Visiting forward George Miller tried his luck from distance 11 minutes later after spotting Lewis off his line, his shot also went off target.
Before Harrison Biggins came inches from levelling the scoreline on 70 minutes. A superb through ball found Cameron Harper on the left, who sprayed a cross along the ground to the midfielder, who got underneath the ball and lifted his shot over Joe Day’s goal from point-blank range.
As we entered the final ten minutes, Biggins had another fine chance in front of goal following a cross from substitute Tyler Burey, who also created another opportunity seconds later - the Blues were unable to convert either as frustration continued to build around Brunton Park.
Following lengthy stoppages because of injuries to Wyke and Guy, the fourth official indicated a minimum of 11 added minutes.
Five minutes into this, Jon Mellish found himself free centrally before unleashing a right-footed attempt on goal, which was straight at Day.
In the final moments, the ball sat up for Sadi on the edge of the box following a corner, which he struck well over the bar.
FULL-TIME: United 0-1 Cheltenham Town
Teams:
Carlisle United - Lewis, Harper, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Robson (60’ Neal), Guy (90+6’ Vela), Biggins, Charters (46’ Wyke (61’ Burey)), Sadi, Barclay (60’ Mellish), Armstrong
Unused subs - Breeze, Hayden
Cheltenham Town - Day, Kinsella, Bradbury, Young (73’ Pett), Miller (89’ Bowman), Thomas (89’ Colwill), Bennett ©, Sohna (85’ Bakare), Archer, Stubbs, Payne
Unused subs - Norkett, Dulson, Taylor
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Cheltenham Town - (17’ Archer)
Match officials:
Referee - Scott Jackson
Assistant Referee - Jacob Lehane
Assistant Referee - Jonathan Wyatt
Fourth Official - Adam Nichol
Attendance:
6,064 (134 away)
