Boss Martin Allen refused to criticise his Cheltenham Town team after watching them capitulate to a 3-2 derby defeat at Bristol Rovers last night.

They led twice at the Memorial Stadium through Ashley Vincent and Lloyd Owusu, but two late goals in two minutes from Darryl Duffy and Rickie Lambert's second of the match sealed a home win

It was tougher to take than Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton, when the Robins were two up with 78 minutes on the clock before a late collapse.

Despite admitting he was lost for words after seeing his side throw away a lead at the death for the second game in succession, Allen said he could not ask any more of his players.

"I thought my team were terrific," Allen said. "They fought like tigers and gave everything they had.

"I don't think you can question the commitment, energy or desire – it's all there and I am not ranting or raving at them because the last thing they need is me bawling at them and I have to make sure they keep their self- belief. When you get anxious and are not used to winning you tend to make bad decisions, but I can't fault the players."

Allen was once again left to bemoan refereeing decisions and the lack of match fitness of several of his key players.

"We have to get some breaks soon because nothing is going for us," he said.

"More decisions have gone against us and we should have had a penalty for a foul on Shane Duff, but it was another magical moment from the referee."

Allen appealed for supporters to keep the faith, despite a winless run of eight matches that has plunged Cheltenham deeper into relegation trouble.

"One win will lift everyone, but it's important as manager I keep fighting, look after them and these players can turn it around and they will turn it around," he said.

"We have taken a few kicks in the gut, but the players keep bouncing back so full credit to them. It's a testing time, but we have to stand up and face it together.

"I will leave here knowing they have given everything and it's my job to lift them now."

Cheltenham play Allen's former club MK Dons, who are pushing for a second successive promotion, at Whaddon Road on Saturday.