KEITH DOWNING knows more than anyone about his team's shortcomings and the areas in which it needs urgent strengthening.

The Robins started the season with a bright first half performance against an ordinary looking Northampton Town side and took a deserved lead through Gabor Gyepes' own goal in the 35th minute.

Robins goalkeeper Shane Higgs was largely untroubled until the final five minutes before half-time when Northampton sprang into life.

Their equaliser came from a corner on the right that was only half cleared and when Liam Davis was allowed to deliver another ball into the box, Gyepes went some way to atoning for his own goal by nodding it towards the far post, where skipper Chris Doig rifled past Higgs.

Cheltenham's game plan had been working well up until the 42nd minute against Northampton's 3-5-2 line-up.

Jerry Gill and Andy Lindegaard worked in tandem to enjoy some freedom on the right and it was Gill who found space to supply the low cross that resulted in Cheltenham's opening goal.

On the opposite flank, Alan Wright dealt with Jason Crowe's attacking sorties and Craig Armstrong did a sound defensive job in support, but failed to make any headway going forward.

Downing would have been satisfied at half-time, despite Northampton's strong finish, but the match was transformed dramatically in a frenetic 15-minute spell mid-way through the second half.

David Bird can have no complaints about being penalised for a reckless lunge on Danny Jackman, presenting Adebayo Akinfenwa with the opportunity to make it 2-1 to the Cobblers.

He may not be the most mobile of front men, but with his heavyweight boxer build, Akinfenwa's influence on the match was undeniable.

The former Swansea City man beat Higgs twice in four minutes, the second penalty appearing to be a harsh call against Gill.

Cheltenham were handed a lifeline as another soft looking spot kick was given at the other end for a push by Gyepes on Shane Duff.

After 10 months of illness and injury, Michael Townsend took out his frustration on the ball, smashing it ferociously past Mark Bunn.

But less than three minutes later the match was killed off.

Perhaps the most disappointing moment of the afternoon saw Cheltenham caught defending too deep inside their own area and Akinfenwa was able to control a long punt and lay off to his partner Leon Constantine, who made no mistake on his debut to make it 4-2.

This was an intriguing opening encounter and it doesn't take a genius to work out where Cheltenham need reinforcements.

If Downing can bring in three or four attacking players capable of hurting the opposition, the rest of his committed team is ready made to work their socks off to keep goals out at the other end.