Cheltenham Town thumped Chelsea 4-1 in Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash.

Cheltenham condemned the young Blues to an exit of the competition at the same stage as last year.

The Robins took a very early lead through a Charlie Brown header as he latched onto a long throw that bounced in the box.

Chelsea could have equalised through Louis Flower as he had time and space to fire a shot on goal, but he decided to round the keeper. The decision proved costly as he fell to the ground under pressure from keeper Shaun MacDonald, but the referee brandished a yellow card for simulation.

Leo Castledine did go close early in the second with an inadvertent effort which was heading towards the goal, but the keeper collected well.

Despite attempts to equalise, the home side unleashed a barrage of attacks which allowed them to add further damage to the scoreline late on.

Former Chelsea striker Brown grabbed his second just after Liam Sercombe doubled the lead, and Ryan Broom with the last kick of the game scored a fourth.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Eddie Beach; Josh Brooking, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Zak Sturge; Derrick Abu, Cesare Casadei, Leo Castledine, Dylan Williams; Louis Flower (Harrison McMahon 60), Donnell McNeilly (Michael Golding 14), Malik Mothersille.

Unused subs: Max Merrick, Travis Akomeah, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kiano Dyer.

Booked: Louis Flower 29; Josh Brooking 90+2.

Cheltenham Town (3-5-2):Shaun MacDonald; Sean Long (c), Ben Williams (Reece Hutchinson 68), Charlie Raglan; Lewis Freestone (Cameron Walters 90+1), Charlie Brown, Liam Sercombe, Dylan, Barkers, Ryan Broom; Dan Nlundulu (George Lloyd 68), Alfie May (Christian Norton 68).

Unused subs: Luke Southwood, Tom Bradbury, Elliott Bonds.

Scorers:Charlie Brown 4, 90; Liam Sercombe 87, Ryan Broom 90+4.

Booked:Charlie Raglan 9; Ryan Broom 59; Charlie Brown 80.