Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen insists his side were last night denied a "blatant" late penalty that would have almost certainly seen them earn a money-spinning FA Cup tie with Aston Villa, writes James McNamara.

The Robins drew their third-round clash with Championship side Doncaster Rovers at Whaddon Road and will now have to replay at the Keepmoat Stadium next Tuesday night.

But Allen insisted that referee Neil Swarbrick should have awarded his side a spot kick six minutes from time after insisting that one of the Doncaster defenders used a hand to clear a David Bird shot off the line.

He said: "It was a blatant handball on the line and it was not given. It was a decision that could prove very costly because when you have a penalty in the final few minutes there is a good chance that you are going to go on and win the game.

"The problem is that higher division clubs get favourable decisions in the FA Cup and we have seen that in recent weeks.

"There is an expectancy that the higher division sides should go through and that has a mental effect on referees that sometimes sways their decisions."

Cheltenham will now have to travel to the Keepmoat Stadium next Tuesday to face the Championship side in a replay following the goalless draw.

"It will be a tough game but we have a committed group of men now and we will not fear them after that performance," Allen added.

"I was very proud of the players and it was a heroic performance at times against a very good footballing side from the Championship. We only had 14 (senior) players available and it was a fantastically committed performance.

"The players are growing in confidence as the season is going on and they are starting to get their rewards. We are on a decent little run at the moment."

Meanwhile, Allen is still hoping to recruit two new players on loan before Saturday's trip to Colchester with one possibly arriving as early as today.

"I'm hoping to get a deal done for a player on Wednesday and we are also trying to get another one in before the weekend," he said.

"One of the deals is a little bit difficult financially and we are trying to persuade the other club to bring the price of that player's wages down."