Notts County's hopes of making it three wins in a row ended a quarter of an hour from time at the Abbey Stadium when Elvis Hammond stabbed home from short range after Cheltenham substitute Julian Alsop wreaked havoc in the visitors' defence.

Man mountain Alsop gave County problems from the moment he replaced Holmar Eyjolfsson with 20 minutes to go. The target man proved too hot to handle in the area and fully justified Cheltenham manager Martin Allen's change of tactics.

The home side might have taken all three points in the 81st minute when Hammond found himself with only Kaspar Schmeichel to beat. But the young keeper produced a point blank save with the ball aimed hard and low at his feet.

But the visitors deserved a draw, although for most of the match it looked as though they would make it three victories in succession as Luke Rodgers picked up where he left off at Lincoln in midweek to score the opener in the 25th minute.

A long ball from Brendan Moloney found Tuesday's hat trick hero streaking into the Cheltenham area. Keeper Scott Brown hesitated for an instant and Rodgers was quick to capitalise, driving his shot hard into the net.

Both sides had chances to steal the win in a frantic final few minutes with Cheltenham exerting the most pressure but the Magpies the happier with a good away point in blustery conditions.

Notts County: Schmeichel, Moloney, Ritchie (Westcarr), Edwards, Thompson (C), Ravenhill, Hughes, Davies, Rodgers (Hawley), Jackson, Jones

Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Lee, Bishop, Clapham, Facey

Booked: None

Sent Off: None

Goals: Rodgers (26)

Cheltenham Town: Brown, Bird (C), Ridley, Townsend, Diallo, Pook, Gallinagh, Richards (Hutton), Hammond, Eyjolfsson (Alsop), Hayles

Subs Not Used: Richardson, Watkins, Low, Lewis, Cox

Booked: None

Sent Off: None

Goals: Hammond(75)

Match Referee:Mr M Russell          Attendance: 4134