Jake Evans' early goal put the hosts ahead but The Shaymen were either the equal of their higher-league hosts or the superior team for long periods, with the result in doubt until George Miller came off the bench to seal it late on.

In the end, Halifax just didn't have enough quality when it mattered but should take a lot of encouragement from their afternoon's work.

The first 15 minutes had already suggested Kirsten Otchere would be Cheltenham's dangerman, and their opener came from the big, powerful number nine out on the left, with his low cross turned in with a first time finish at the far post by Evans.

Before that, Otchere had been denied one-on-one by some excellent goalkeeping from True Grant after a superb first touch.

But Halifax responded well to the early blow, with a shot on the turn by Conor Carty from Zak Gilsenan’s pass just the wrong side of the post and a shot on target by Ben Tollitt straight at the keeper.

Town's final pass or shot in the final third let them down though, with Cheltenham just showing that bit more quality.

A shot by Otchere at an angle kept was kept out by Grant, and the Cheltenham forward was inches away from connecting with a delightful cross from the right.

There were also some crucial interceptions by Shaun Hobson and Will Flint at times, the like of which the Cheltenham defence wasn't stretched enough to make.

The first-half was bookended by another vital block by Grant, racing off his line to deny Otchere again after Town's defence had been sliced through.

The Shaymen looked more comfortable at the back after the break, but the problem was the hosts' defence was too comfortable too.

Town were seeing more of the ball but not doing enough with it.

Their best move of the half so far, midway through it, saw the ball end up in the net after Johnson found Douglas on the right and his cross was turned in by Carty, but he was offside.

Cheltenham has completely disintegrated as an attacking force, with Halifax the sole side looking capable of scoring.

But keeper Wyll Stanway wasn't being tested enough, with efforts off target from Cody Johnson and Gilsenan from the edge of the box.

And it was put beyond doubt in added time when sub Miller headed in a corner.

Cheltenham: Stanway, Tomkinson, Sweeney, Wilson, Shipley (Nurse 88), Stevenson (Cundy 81), McWilliams, McCann, Evans (Miller 88), Weimann, Otchere (Willcox 81). Subs not used: Day, Bickerstaff, Broom, Onukwuli, Barber.

Scorers: Evans (16), Miller (90+3)

Attempts on target: 3

Attempts off target: 1

Corners: 2

Halifax: Grant, Houghton, Flint, Hobson, Conte, Johnson, Trusty (Allen 84), Douglas (Morgan-Smith 75), Gilsenan, Tollitt (Bray 90), Carty (Kawa 90). Subs not used: Mathers, Maltby, Hill, Hugill, McDermott.

Attempts on target: 3

Attempts off target: 8

Corners: 3

Referee: Ollie Yates

Attendance: 2,961 (339 away)

Town man of the match: Cody Johnson. Looked worryingly at home among League Two opposition. Just a class act.