Cheltenham Town video: Zebroski strike sinks Rovers

Bristol Rovers 0 Cheltenham Town 1

Chris Zebroski's 39th minute goal sank former club Bristol Rovers and ensured Cheltenham Town's unbeaten away record this season continued.

The Robins should have won by a greater margin after an accomplished all-round display, but they ended up having to withstand some late pressure from Mark McGhee's men.

They stood firm to register a thoroughly deserved victory as Rovers' wait for a home win this term goes on.

Only a fine goalkeeping display by Rovers' Neil Etheridge kept the score down, while his opposite number Scott Brown was once again on top form behind a resolute back four.

Buoyed by their opening victory of the season at Exeter City on Saturday, Rovers made a confident start

German winger Fabian Broghammer showed his pace, causing problems for Sido Jombati and the Robins' defence was busy in the opening minutes.

Scottish striker Derek Riordan had a brief glimpse of goal and Cheltenham gave possession away carelessly in dangerous areas at times, but Brown was not called into serious action.

Plenty of boos rang around the Memorial Stadium when Zebroski's name was read out before kick-off and he looked fired up against one of his many old clubs.

He sent Cheltenham's first effort over the bar before Darren Carter hit a free-kick similarly high after Jermaine McGlashan was tripped on the edge of the box.

Zebroski was pushed up front in Shaun Harrad's absence with a calf injury, with Kaid Mohamed recalled on the left flank.

Mohamed came to life in the 23rd minute on the ground at which he scored a superb individual goal just over a year ago.

He showed a deft touch to manoeuvre the ball past right-back Matt Lund, allowing him to build up full speed and he tore away from the attentions of Adam Virgo, bearing down on goal, but Etheridge was off his line quickly to smother at the winger's feet.

McGlashan teed up Zebroski in the 26th minute and after a poor first touch he was able to stretch and bring the ball under control near the edge of the box with his back to goal.

He turned sharply, but his low drive flew narrowly wide of the right post.

But Zebroski struck in the 39th minute after a piece of poor defensive work from Garry Kenneth, who totally misjudged a long ball forward.

The striker saw his first effort blocked by Etheridge, but he stretched out a leg to steer in the rebound and his celebration showed just how much it meant to net against his former employers.

Brown did well to beat away David Clarkson's shot in the 57th minute and Cheltenham broke with Zebroski crossing for Mohamed whose volley was wayward.

McGlashan forced Etheridge to turn over the bar and from the resulting corner his low effort was blocked on the line by Virgo as Cheltenham pressed for a second.

Etheridge reacted well to keep out Steve Elliott's flick header from a Billy Jones free-kick in the 71st minute.

Another error from Kenneth presented Mohamed with a shooting chance, which Etheridge turned over the bar two minutes later, the Phillipines international goalkeeper keeping his side in the game.

Etheridge's heroics almost paid dividends in the 88th minute when Riordan had a good chance to level the scores, but Brown made a fine one-handed stop low to his right.

With Brown and his back four standing firm, the result was rarely in doubt and Cheltenham moved up to fifth in the table ahead of Saturday's home match against newly-promoted Fleetwood Town.

BRISTOL ROVERS: N Etheridge; A Virgo, G Kenneth, J Paterson (L Brown 76), M Lund; D Clarkson, M Gill, O Norburn (W Brown 76), F Broghammer (E Richards 62); T Eaves, D Riordan. Subs not used: S Walker, J Anyinsah, R Staley, S Clucas.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Brown; S Jombati, A Bennett, S Elliott, B Jones; J McGlashan (D Duffy 86), M Pack, R Penn (S Deering 90), D Carter, K Mohamed (K Lowe 90); C Zebroski. Subs not used: C Roberts, H Hooman, J Goulding, B Graham.

REFEREE: O Langford.

ATTENDANCE: 5,747 (441 away).

STAR MAN: Chris Zebroski.