Paul Gascoigne made his long awaited League debut for Boston United but he was unable to inspire his team to a first away victory of the season.
The Boston player-coach entered the field from the substitute's bench seven minutes from time to rapturous applause from both sets of supporters, but by then Cheltenham Town had already taken the lead and worked hard to contain the visitors from Lincolnshire.
The first half at Whaddon Road was a placid affair with neither goalkeeper extended much beyond catching crosses and fielding over-hit through balls.
Cheltenham employed the one up front tactics that have served them well in recent away games, although this resulted in the home side defending so deep that Boston struggled to break them down. When Cheltenham did win the ball they had so many players stationed in their own half that it proved difficult to mount fluent attacks.
Although Boston had the lion's share of the first half possession it was Cheltenham who had the better chances, both openings falling to Martin Devaney.
The winger ended a strong run with a shot that goalkeeper Nathan Abbey gathered at the second attempt. Then, 10 minutes before the break, the same player initiated a quick break from midfield but elected to shoot instead of feeding JJ Melligan, who was in a much better position. Devaney's eventual shot struck the heel of a defender and bounced clear.
Cheltenham attacked with far more purpose after the break and grabbed the lead on 57 minutes when a long throw-in from David Bird was met by a flick-header from Jamie Victory that looped over goalkeeper Nathan Abbey and in.
Cheltenham should have increased their lead with Kayode Odejayi missing two good chances, although Simon Rusk could have equalised at the other end, the midfielder failing to gain sufficient power in his shot and allowed Shane Higgs to save.
Gascoigne's every move was applauded by a rapturous crowd as the match became almost a sideshow to the appearance of the legendary former England player in the final 10 minutes.