A new year but a feeling of Groundhog Day at Valley Parade this afternoon.

For the third game running, City were reduced to ten men as Steve Williams became the sixth player to see red.

Unlike Matt Clarke in the previous game against Shrewsbury, Williams could have no complaints for his two bookings.

And the second, for pulling back Justin Richards, conceded the penalty which allowed the Cheltenham striker to equalise nine minutes into the second half.

Jon McLaughlin, playing his first game of the season in goal, got a hand to it but couldn't keep the ball out.

It meant another afternoon of immense frustration for Stuart McCall and the Valley Parade crowd.

City had been on top for the first half and could have put the game out of sight.

Chris Brandon, the liveliest performer in the opening 45 minutes, had a fierce shot turned away and Michael Flynn blasted over.

The pressure produced a goal ten minutes before half-time when James O'Brien scored after a flap by keeper Scott Brown.

But City allowed Cheltenham back into it after the break and paid the price when Williams tugged back Richards.

James Hanson shot just over deep into stoppage time but there were boos at the final whistle.

City have still not won at home since October and they remain in the bottom half. The midwinter of discontent continues.