The chances of Cheltenham Town earning a money-spinning FA Cup fourth round tie against Aston Villa at Whaddon Road on Saturday are fading fast at Doncaster this evening.

Martin Allen's side – depleted by players either injured, ineligible or suspended – have contested gamely with Championship side Doncaster Rovers in the third round replay at the Keepmoat Stadium, but still trail by two goals at the break.

Highly-rated midfielder Brian Stock registered in the 25th minute for Sean O'Driscoll's side when presented with the simplest of tap-ins from close range after a Martin Woods free-kick rattled the crossbar and rebounded kindly off goalkeeper Scott Brown's back.

The Robins were further behind ten minutes later when defender Sam Hird bundled home after Brown had made a desperate stop with his legs to keep out a powerful John Spicer effort after a corner.

Ashley Vincent missed Cheltenham's best opportunity to halve the deficit on 40 minutes – pulling his shot wide of the far post from inside the area when he should have at the very least hit the target.

Doncaster were guilty of overplaying at times during the early stages – much to the anger of their own supporters. Their intricate use of the ball, however, did serve to create a couple of half chances with full-back James O'Connor and Spicer warming Brown's hands with efforts from distance.

Allen suffered a major blow after midfielder Ian Westlake failed a late fitness test for a hamstring injury. It left the manager with only 12 fit and eligible professionals to contest what was Cheltenham's most important game of the season so far.

There were five changes from the side that lost at Colchester on Saturday: recent loan signings Chris Westwood, Lewis Montrose and Nicholas Bignall (all ineligible) missing out, with Paul Connor and Westlake (both injured) completing the absentee list.

Defender Shane Duff made a welcome return after recovering from an Achilles' injury that has kept him out since the middle of September.

Andy Lindegaard, Elvis Hammond, Lloyd Owusu and David Bird were also drafted in to complete a patched up side.

Allen didn't even have enough players to fill his compliment of seven substitutes. On-loan Leicester wideman Jonny Hayes and goalkeeper Will Puddy the two full-time professionals on the bench alongside four youth teamers.

Doncaster Rovers (4-4-2): Sullivan; O'Connor, Mills, Hird, Chambers; Spicer, Wellens, Stock, Woods; Coppinger, Guy. Subs: Taylor, Smith, Van Nieuwstadt, Wilson, Lockwood, Heffernan, Roberts.

Cheltenham Town (4-3-3): Brown; Lindegaard, Gallinagh, Duff, Wright; Bird, Russell, Ridley; Vincent, Owusu, Hammond. Subs: Puddy, Hayes, Watkins, Fathers, Durrant, Maynard.