WITHOUT doubt, rudderless Cheltenham Town have a serious battle on their hands to preserve the Football League status they waited more than 100 years to attain in 1999.

This depressing defeat was the most clear illustration yet of how far the club have regressed under Martin Allen's management in the past year as Crewe Alexandra inflicted the Robins' joint heaviest home League defeat to set the alarm bells ringing at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Talk of the play-offs and an immediate return to League One seems like a distant dream as sad Cheltenham failed to win for the ninth home match in succession after what was a genuine Halloween horror show.

It was the manner of the defeat which provided the most cause for concern. Cheltenham had their moments, striking the woodwork on three occasions, but when things went wrong, too many players went missing.

The current team appears to be lacking character, leadership and, most disappointingly, passion.

The players have made their backing for acting boss John Schofield clear, but after such a promising start to his reign at Port Vale a week earlier, he was let down badly on this occasion.

Crewe approached the match on a run of seven defeats in eight matches, but they were made to look like promotion contenders by a substandard defensive performance from Cheltenham.

Schofield kept faith with the same XI that started the 1-1 draw with Port Vale, but goalkeeper Scott Brown was called into action more in the early stages than he was in the entire match at Vale Park.

Brown denied Shaun Miller with a reaction block at his near post and Crewe forced a succession of early corners as Cheltenham were pinned inside their own half.

Frankie Artus hit the bar with a rasping drive in the 12th minute, but Crewe took the lead in the 29th minute.

James Bailey's delivery was laid off by Patrick Ada to Miller, whose cross was headed in by Calvin Zola.

Elvis Hammond combined with Josh Low to set up David Bird for a shot on the edge of the box that Adam Legzdins did well to push onto the right post and Cheltenham looked capable of levelling before the break, but Crewe doubled their lead in the 38th minute.

Bailey's cross was half-cleared to Steve Schumacher, who slammed a low shot past Brown to leave Cheltenham with a massive task in the second half.

The second half got underway without Crewe goalkeeper Legzdins on the field, but he soon emerged from the dressing rooms much to the amusement of the crowd and the embarrassment of the officials.

Cheltenham did not have an opportunity to strike towards the empty net and Crewe could probably still have won without a goalkeeper during the second period as the Robins crumbled.

Low's strong run ended with David Hutton crossing for Julian Alsop, whose header crashed against the bar.

Within seconds, Crewe had counter-attacked and Danny Shelley had time and space to beat Brown in the 69th minute.

Substitute Hayles danced through in the 72nd minute and went down looking for a penalty in vain, but Zola made it 4-0 immediately, forcing the ball over the line from close range after Shelley's ball in rolled across the six-yard box.

Only another fine save from Brown denied Shelley a fifth at the death as a nightmare afternoon for the Robins drew to a close.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Brown; H Eyjolfsson (K Haynes 67), M Townsend, D Diallo, J Low; D Bird, M Pook (B Hayles 51), T Lewis; E Hammond, J Alsop, F Artus (D Hutton 60). Subs not used: A Gallinagh, J Richards, M Watkins, W Puddy.

CREWE ALEXANDRA: A Legzdins; J Brayford, M Mitchel-King, P Ada, A Westwood; D Shelley, S Schumacher (S Walton 74), J Bailey, J Grant; C Zola (C Donaldson 80) S Miller (B Moore 87). Subs not used: B Jones, D O'Donnell, L Murphy, B Bossu.

REFEREE: G D Scott.

ATTENDANCE: 3,124 (231 from Crewe).

STAR MAN: Scott Brown.