Promotion favourites Cardiff City were held to a draw in a fascinating match at Whaddon Road.
There cannot be two second division sides as far apart in terms of resources as the former non-league Cheltenham and big spending Cardiff City.
Yet Cheltenham grafted hard for 90 minutes and a combination of inspirational defending and a little slice of luck earned them their second point of the season.
Cardiff, meanwhile will look back on a series of missed chances after Andy Campbell had given them an 11th minute lead when he raced on to a pass from Graham Kavanagh before rolling a shot past Steve Book.
Andy Legg almost doubled the lead when he saw Book make a fine save from his left-foot drive, Campbell went close with two more efforts and it took Cheltenham 28 minutes to muster a shot at goal.
That effort from Paul Brayson was held comfortably by goalkeeper Neil Alexander, but the former Scottish under-21 international was powerless to prevent a Cheltenham equaliser four minutes later.
It started when Russell Milton delivered a free-kick into the penalty area, the ball ran loose from a challenge on the edge of the box and defender Neil Howarth drove a low shot past Alexander from 18 yards.
Cardiff applied heavy pressure to the Cheltenham goal in the second half but the Robins held firm with Northern Ireland international Michael Duff marshalling a resolute defence.
Howarth nodded a power header from Danny Gabbidon off the line and substitute Robert Earnshaw went close with a curling shot as Cardiff tried but failed to break through and claim all three points.
"I can't remember the last time I was involved in such a one-sided game," said Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence.
"I'm amazed that we did not come away with the points."
Cheltenham boss Graham Allner said: "That was very hard work against a good side with good players. But I'm pleased with the resilience of the players and I think this game will do us good in the long run."