After a bright opening, Cheltenham then found themselves under heavy pressure from the home side. Andy Clarke scored, as he did last time the sides met, back in Cheltenham’s first season in the Football League. The powerful striker held off John Brough’s challenge and netted with a well-struck drive past Book. The Robins were rattled and Peterborough continued to control the match. Jason Lee scored his second header after another corner from Bullard.
Cheltenham were given a lifeline shortly after half-time, as Richard Forsyth, against his old club, pulled a goal back. Julian Alsop flicked on a Neil Howarth cross and Forsyth applied a clinical finish past Daniel Connor. Cheltenham then enjoyed their best spell of the game, producing some attractive football, but they could not claw their way back into contention.
Connor, between the posts for Posh and only making his third league start of the campaign, made a fantastic save to deny Damien Spencer, who had replaced Paul Brayson in attack for Cheltenham. At the other end, Steve Book was called into action, making a fine block from Andy Clarke, as the former Wimbledon forward continued to cause Cheltenham problems.
It was Clarke who completed the scoring, bagging himself a brace in the process. Dave Farrell reached the goal line and crossed for Clarke to smash home Peterborough’s fourth and leave Cheltenham back in deep relegation trouble.