Cheltenham Town were beaten 3-1 by Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium on Saturday.
The defeat records the Robins’ six loss in their last seven games in all competitions, leaving them 18th in the League Two table.
Stanley were 3-0 up before the hour mark with goals from Shaun Whalley, Donald Love, and Devon Matthews, while Cheltenham’s only goal came from winger Jordan Thomas in the 73rd minute.
Despite scoring Cheltenham’s goal, Thomas was filled with disappointment with his side’s performance.
“It wasn’t good enough, especially (in the) first half,” he said.
“We just didn’t come out at all and just didn’t play the way we wanted to.
“I think we played into their strengths, and it really showed.
“We picked up a bit in the last 20 minutes, but when you’re 3-0 down it’s a lot easier to pick things up.”
The Robins conceded the opening goal just eight minutes in through Whalley’s right footed effort from distance, which replicated their poor start against Grimsby Town the fixture prior.
Aware of the issue, Thomas said: “We definitely need to start games quicker, we’ve always said that.
“We need to get out of the bad habit of it and give ourselves better chances, because when you go a goal ahead it sets the tone for the game.
“We’re so disappointed with the way we started.”
Another unwanted reoccurrence for the Robins was conceding a goal just before the half time break as Love’s goal gave Stanley a two goal lead at the break.
“We done that the other week (against Oldham) as well. So again, we got to get out of these bad habits,” said Thomas.
“When you do concede that second goal right before half time, your game plan has to change going into the second half and you have to go on the front foot a bit more which gives you more exposure.”
With the poor run of form cementing a tough start to 2026, Thomas gave no excuses for his side.
“December was our best month but January we haven’t been the same,” he said.
“I know players have come and gone but there hasn’t been a massive changeover so we need to reflect on a few more things.”
Next, Cheltenham welcome fourth place MK Dons to the EV Charger Points Stadium on Saturday with the hopes to avoid five losses in a row in all competitions.
