Caretaker boss Steve Chettle took charge of Notts after the sacking of Harry Kewell
Managerless Notts County slipped into the League Two relegation zone after Cheltenham leapfrogged them following a comprehensive win at Meadow Lane.
In a dire first half, Enzio Boldewijn had the first shot after 30 minutes for Notts when he cut inside from the right but drilled his effort high and wide of the target.
Cheltenham's forward line stuttered for most of the first period, but with their first meaningful attack of the half, they took the lead when Ryan Broom's cross was met by the unmarked Luke Varney, who headed home the opener.
Chris Hussey then wasted a glorious chance to put the visitors 2-0 up when he was put clean through on goal, only for goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons to make a superb save to turn the ball around the post.
County made a tactical switch at half-time as they changed from three at the back to 4-4-2 but the impact that the home fans hoped it would give them never materialised.
Varney doubled the visitors' lead when he crashed in a superb finish from a well-worked corner routine, before Tyrone Barnett wrapped things up late on with a scuffed finish from close range.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
