Civil Service made it three losses on the bounce, after they conceded three goals to Cribbs Reserves on Saturday.
It took only ten minutes for the visitors to grab their first of the game, with Andy Forward heading home following a corner.
They added a second six minutes later, this time through Liam Clayton.
After failing to clear, the Civil Service defence could only watch as Clayton smashed home from close range.
The visitors added their third on the 75 minute mark with a swift counter attack as Dan Monk’s deep cross found the head of Tom Headford who looped an audacious header over the keeper and into the net.
How it happened…
Cheltenham Civil Service returned to action following yet another postponement last weekend. Cribbs Reserves came into the game with the chance to go top of the league if results went their way.
The hosts could have taken the lead just three minutes into the game through Lewis Driscoll after solid build-up play from Jamie Lewis.
Finding Chisom Obi down the left, the winger fired in a low cross to the back post. However, Driscoll directed his shot just over the bar from very close range.
Cribbs responded with some forward pressure, earning themselves a corner on the ten-minute mark.
Swinging in a cross to the near post, it was Andy Forward who got a head to it first to give his side an early lead.
The visitors doubled their lead just six minutes later, this time through Liam Clayton.
After initially winning the ball back down the left, Service failed to deal with it in the box, allowing Clayton to blast in from point blank range.
Cribbs had the ball in the net for a third time 26 minutes into the first half. However, the goal was eventually disallowed for offside.
The visitors could have made it three just before half time through Dan Burgan.
Finding himself in behind the defence, Burgan saw his powerful saved by Brett Pittaway who got down well to keep his side in the game.
Just minutes after the halftime interval, a harsh second yellow for centre half Teejay Hosking threatened to change the complexion of the game.
Initially, going down to ten men seemed to galvanise the hosts, who were forced to come out and press.
They were rewarded minutes later when Chisom Obi used his pace to get across Dan Monk inside the box, earning his side a penalty.
However, a great save from Harry Bridgeman kept the score at 2-0.
The game eventually settled down with chances becoming few and far between for both sides. Cribbs dealt with the press well, not allowing themselves to be forced into too many more mistakes.
Just 15 minutes from full time, Cribbs managed to grab their third.
Crossing the ball from just inside the Service half, Monk found Tom Headford whose looping header sailed over Pittaway and into the net.
Overall Assessment
Overall, Cribbs did enough to take home the three points. They took their chances and responded well to a more positive second half performance from Civil Service. They now sit top of the table on goal difference and look like serious title contenders. As for the hosts, they will be hoping to turn their season around sooner rather than later as they make it three losses in a row.
