FA Cup first round

AFC Wimbledon 1 Forest Green Rovers 2

ELLIOTT Frear’s stunning stoppage time winner booked Forest Green Rovers a place in the FA Cup second round with a giant killing victory at League Two side AFC Wimbledon.

The tricky winger’s bottom corner finish was a late reward for a testing outing at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, as Rovers overcame Football League opposition in the world famous competition for only the third time in their history.

Darren Carter’s early goal set FGR on their way to what looked like a possible upset, but after Callum Kennedy had equalised for Wimbledon, it was going to take an almighty effort to try and regain the advantage.

That moment came when deep into second half stoppage time, Frear stepped up to execute a superb finish.

Ady Pennock’s side were ahead from as early as the sixth minute when Keanu Marsh-Brown nicked the ball off a Wimbledon defender in the box, and teed up Carter, who slammed home a key early goal.

The hosts slow start had been punished, although they responded well, and Tom Elliott forced Steve Arnold, making his first appearance of the season, into a good save when shooting on the turn.

Kennedy’s excellent strike drew the Football League outfit level. He received the ball on the left of the area and placed a well-struck effort into the top corner, out of Arnold’s reach.

Jon Parkin fired off target in a rare FGR chance towards half time, while Lyle Taylor’s effort for the hosts was slammed wide after Forest Green youth team product Sean Rigg had edged the ball towards the former Partick Thistle attacker.

The start of the second half almost mirrored the first for Rovers, as they almost took the lead again.

Marsh-Brown’s delivery from a wide area into the box was inch perfect, and Charlie Clough’s well-connected header slammed onto the crossbar.

AFC Wimbledon were dominant, and they forced Arnold into two good stops in quick succession, when he kept out strikes on goal from Taylor and Rigg.

The latter was through again on the hour mark, only to poke wide, and Carter looked to make an impact at the other end, however his shot from distance skittled past the post.

Belief gradually grew in the FGR ranks as the home side continued to falter in front of goal, and Marsh-Brown had a great opportunity score, only to be denied by Ben Wilson, when the ball fell to him in the area.

As the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, Rovers had the ball in Wimbledon’s final third, and the chance to snatch a last gasp giant killing presented itself.

Frear was the man who provided the magical moment. He picked the ball up on the right hand side and slammed home brilliantly into the bottom corner.

It sent both players and the 229 travelling supporters alike into raptures, and leaves everyone connected with Forest Green eager to find out what comes next when the second round draw takes place on Monday.