ADY PENNOCK has raised the white flag and declared Cheltenham Town champions.

Gary Johnson’s champions-elect now require a win from their final three games to seal an immediate return to the Football League.

And Rovers are now six points shy of their neighbours after being held to a 1-1 draw at Braintree, and boss Pennock was quick to congratulate Cheltenham as he turns his focus on the play-offs.

He said: “Fair play to Cheltenham – it’s obviously not mathematically impossible but I think they’ve got one hand on the trophy.

“We’ve got to keep playing well in the final three matches and make sure we go into the play-offs in good form. It would be a nightmare going in not winning games or playing well, so it’s important we go in full of confidence.

“We’ve only lost one game this calendar year. We’ve drawn too many games but not through lack of effort.”

Pennock was pleased how his side responded at Braintree on Saturday after Kenny Davis handed the Essex boys the lead from the spot on 34 minutes, but Darren Carter’s eighth goal of the season levelled matters just three minutes later as Rovers drew their fifth successive match.

“I thought we dominated the first half,” added Pennock.

Rovers welcome Woking to the New Lawn on Saturday, 3pm.