ACCRINGTON Stanley slipped to their third defeat in four games as they were beaten at home by Cheltenham Town in League Two this afternoon.

Cheltenham took an early 2-0 lead as Brian Smikle netted in the fourth minute and Jeff Goulding added a second in the 18th minute.

Terry Gornell pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half but Goulding scored his second in the 74th minute.

Robin Shroot put the visitors 4-1 up with 10 minutes left, although Phil Edwards did bag a consolation for Stanley from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Stanley: Alex Cisak, Dean Winnard, Phil Edwards, Tom Smyth, Sean Hessey, Charlie Barnett (Craig Lindfield 71), Luke Joyce, Andy Parkinson (Chris Turner 52), Jimmy Ryan, Sean McConville, Terry Gornell. Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Kevin Long, Peter Murphy, Leam Richardson, Rory Boulding.

Cheltenham: Scott Brown, Keith Lowe, Andy Gallinagh, Martin Riley, Dave Bird, Josh Low, Brian Smikle, JJ Melligan, Robin Shroot (Theo Lewis 89), Marlon Pack, Jeff Goulding (Shaun Jeffers 83). Subs not used: Daniel Lloyd-Weston, Kyle Haynes, Frankie Artus, Jake Lee.

Attendance: 1,427.