Crewe Alexandra made it six straight wins and ten games unbeaten with an emphatic success at Whaddon Road.
Cheltenham TownÂ’s hopes of continuing their recent improvement in form were dashed as Crewe raced into a 3-0 first-half lead. The home side also had two men sent off in the second half to compound their woes.
Cheltenham defender Michael Duff saw a shot headed off the line by Efe Sodje after only five minutes, but Crewe had grabbed the lead within seconds. Kenny Lunt delivered a free-kick from 40 yards out which Dean Ashton directed past the goalkeeper with a flick header.
Despite going a goal behind Cheltenham continued to play some enterprising football and had two or three more good chances. Damian Spencer saw a shot well saved by Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince and the same player headed wide when unmarked 12 yards out.
But Cheltenham were to regret those misses as first David Vaughan and then Rodney Jack scored from breakaway chances, Jack racing from deep inside his own half to beat goalkeeper Steve Book with a clinical finish.
CreweÂ’s domination continued into the second half and things went from bad to worse for the home side when Duff, who was celebrating his 300th appearance for the club, was sent off in the 58th minute for a second booking.
Neil Howarth followed him eight minutes later for hauling down Ashton in the area and Dave Brammer stroked home the spot-kick.
Crewe spared the home side any further embarrassment in the last 20 minutes by taking things easy and playing keep-ball.
"We had the better players and I think that quality came through in the end," said Crewe manager Dario Gradi.
"Cheltenham were a real threat for the first 40 minutes or so but we scored some very good goals in the first half.
"My only criticism was that we missed a few chances as well." Cheltenham manager Graham Allner said: "If we are really really honest we lost to a much better side. It was a bad day all round but we have to pick ourselves up for the next game on Saturday."