Half-time: Cheltenham Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 0: Cheltenham and Doncaster are locked at half-time in their battle to earn a money-spinning FA Cup fourth-round tie against Premier League giants Aston Villa.

The two sides both went close to breaking the deadlock in the third-round tie at Whaddon Road this evening, but it remained goalless at the break.

Doncaster enjoyed more of the ball throughout the opening period, but Cheltenham carved out the best opportunity with David Bird forcing a good save out of Neil 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 quarter-of-an-hour to carve out their first meaningful chance.

That came off the head of former Bristol City striker Paul 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 – tasked with stopping Doncaster's marauding full-backs, Cheltenham's attacking ambitions were limited.

There 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.

Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was then forced to push a powerful David Bird header onto the foot of the post before it was cleared away to safety moments later.

Allen had already admitted that his side was down to the bare bones for what was their most significant match of the season so far. Since the Robins lat played – 16 days ago – Barry Hayles had returned to Leicester and central defender Darren Kenton rejected a contract offer and left Whaddon Road.

Postponements in recent weeks also meant that Ashley Vincent was forced to finally serve a one-match ban for picking up five bookings.

That forced Allen in to four changes with Andy Lindegaard, Lloyd Owusu, Jonathon Hayes and David Bird all handed starting spots. Injured pair John Finnigan and Shane Duff were both deemed fit enough to make the bench alongside a host of youth team scholars.

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

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