Bobby Gould was denied victory by the woodwork in his first game in charge as Cheltenham slipped to the bottom of Division Two after a goalless draw at home to Chesterfield.

Gould was almost given the perfect start to his reign as Cheltenham boss.

But the ex-Wales boss could only bemoan his side's misfortune as a 20-yard shot from Julian Alsop came back off the frame of the goal.

The home side dominated throughout, although Russell Milton's weak strike was all they had to show for their efforts in a scrappy opening spell.

Martin Devaney also swung a free-kick wide of the post after the break and Milton again wasted a decent opportunity when he failed to hit the target from the edge of the box.

Chesterfield offered little in attack, and Town almost grabbed a deserved win in injury-time only for goalkeeper Ben Williams to deny Devaney.

Cheltenham: Book, Griffin, Mike Duff, Brough, Victory, Devaney, McAuley, Finnigan, Milton, Alsop, Brayson. Subs: Naylor, Higgs, Spencer, Shane Duff, Williams.

Chesterfield: Williams, Edwards, Blatherwick, Payne, Booty, Davies, Brandon, Ebdon, Rushbury, Hurst, Bradley. Subs: Reeves, Richmond, O'Hare, Allott, Warne.

Referee: M Cowburn (Lancashire)