Cheltenham Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 0: Cheltenham Town are still in with a chance of earning a glamour FA Cup fourth-round tie against Premier League giants Aston Villa – but will now have to do it the hard way after playing out a stalemate with Championship side Doncaster Rovers.

The two sides clashed in a third-round tie at Whaddon Road that lacked goals – but was not without action, excitement or incident. Both sides had chances to win it – Doncaster seeing the ball rebound back off a post from a Paul Heffernan shot in the 64th minute.

Cheltenham had chances too, with David Bird forcing two fine saves out of goalkeeper Neil Sullivan to keep the Championship side in the game and setting up a replay at the Keepmoat Stadium next Tuesday.

Allen's side can walk away with their heads held high after containing their flamboyant opponents with an organised and clever tactical display, with midfielders Bird and Ian Westlake the pick of the bunch.

Doncaster had enjoyed more of the ball throughout the opening period, but Cheltenham carved out the best opportunity with Bird forcing a good save out of Sullivan at his near post after connecting powerfully with an Andy Lindegaard cross.

The opening period proved to be one of containment for Allen's side against a team noted for their exquisite use of the football. It was a task that the Robins stuck to manfully as Doncaster dominated in possession.

The visitors were happy to remain patient, probing away in front of a determined Robins rearguard and took over a quarter of an hour to carve out their first meaningful chance.

That came off the head of former Bristol City striker Heffernan, who was only able to guide Ritchie Wellens' menacing cross over the crossbar.

More were to follow quickly; Wellens breaking clear in behind to force a fine save out of Scott Brown from a vicious shot a little under five minutes later.

Defender Sam Hird was the next to find time in the area for a presentable opportunity, but his side-foot volley was soft and easily collected by Brown.

With two support strikers – Jonny Hayes and Lloyd Owusu – given the task of stopping Doncaster's marauding full-backs, Cheltenham's attacking ambitions were limited.

Their best chances came late in the first half, with Andy Gallinagh seeing a goalbound header from a corner cleared off the line by vigilant Doncaster midfielder John Spicer.

Sullivan was then forced to push a powerful Bird header on to the foot of a post before the ball was cleared away to safety moments later.

The visitors again enjoyed more of the ball after the break – although Cheltenham showed more ambition that they had throughout the first half.

Doncaster were quickly into their stride, however, and goalkeeper Brown was forced to tip a vicious Spicer drive over the crossbar on 52 minutes.

Soon after, a James Chambers cross looped on to the crossbar, before Doncaster saw their best chance of winning the game creep agonisingly away from them.

A high ball into the Cheltenham penalty area caused confusion on 64 minutes and allowed striker Heffernan to twist and turn before scuffing a shot against a post.

The ball rolled along the goal-line almost in slow motion before Lindegaard was able to hack it away. Still Doncaster came, but their superior possession lacked intent and only a fizzing first-time drive from Wellens from outside the box went anywhere close to troubling Brown between the Cheltenham posts.

Allen's side continued to display plenty of hustle and bustle, but without end product – Sullivan mostly a bystander in the Doncaster goal.

The introduction of skipper John Finnigan with just over a quarter of an hour to go was a sign that Allen was perhaps happy to settle for a draw – but his side almost won it with six mintes remaining.

Bird was again the architect after collecting the ball inside the penalty area with a deft touch before unleashing a blistering shot that was palmed away by Sullivan.

Substitute Paul Connor and Owusu were waiting to pop in the rebound, but the loose ball evaded them and was hacked gratefully off the line by a Doncaster defender.

Earning a glamour tie with Villa will have to wait – in the meantime the money from the replay will be a welcome boost to the coffers as Allen bids to strengthen his depleted squad.

Cheltenham Town (4-3-3): Brown; Lindegaard, Ridley, Gallinagh, Wright; Bird, Russell, Westlake; Hammond (Finnigan 73), Owusu, Hayes (Connor 58). Subs not used: Duff, Gill, Puddy, Watkins, Durrant.

Doncaster Rovers (4-5-1): Sullivan; O'Connor, Mills, Hird, Chambers; Coppinger (Wilson 88), Spicer, Wellens, Stock (Taylor 70), Woods; Heffernan (Lockwood 90). Subs not used: Roberts, Van Nieuwstadt, Guy, Smith.