National League

Welling 1

Forest Green 1

FOREST GREEN were knocked-off their National League perch despite a point-saving Kurtis Guthrie goal at Welling.

Michael Bakare’s strike in the 63rd minute gave Welling the lead, but Guthrie stepped off the bench to score against his former club.

With Gloucestershire rivals Cheltenham Town grabbing a thumping 5-0 win over Guiseley, Ady Pennock's side dropped to second and a point behind the new National League leaders.

However, Pennock insisted he was pleased to grab a point at his former club.

He said: "In the first half we were dominant, but didn't create any clear-cut chances in the final third.

"I'm pleased with the character we showed after the mistake for their goal.

"This is a difficult place to come and this was a good point in the end and that's four points we've taken off Welling."

And Pennock took a positive stance after seeing his side fall to second in the table.

He added: "This is a marathon not a sprint and if anyone had said in August that we would be in the top two and in the second round of the FA Cup - I would have snapped their hands-off."

Earlier, Pennock made two changes from the FA Cup win at AFC Wimbledon.

Goalkeeper Jonny Maxted returned to league action in place of Steve Arnold and Darren Jones replaced the suspended Aarran Racine.

Rovers started brightly with Darren Carter demanding a flying save from Wings' keeper Tom King.

Charlie Clough and Carter went close as Rovers gained a foothold.

Meanwhile, Maxted did well to claw a free-kick from Xavier Vidal.

Frear and Sam Wedgbury shot from distance and Jon Parkin tried a sublime looking side-footed volley as Rovers cranked-up the pressure.

Rovers looked for a way to break the second half stalemate. Carter and Rob Sinclair watching shots blocked.

Guthrie was on the end of a deep cross by Dale Bennett' but failed to direct his header on target.

However, Welling nosed ahead when Wedgbury lost his footing for Harry Lee to tee-up Bakare.

Back came Rovers. A stunning King save denied Parkin heading Forest Green level from Sinclair’s corner.

A jet-heeled run by Frear was followed by a strike wide and then King grabbed a Carter shot.

The Wings were hanging on and Rovers grabbed parity in the 83rd minute when Frear’s cross was met by the diving Guthrie at the far post.

Welling United: T King; B Williams, M Chambers, K Lokko, B Jefford; X Vidal, H Lee, R Wellard, R Harris (S Kabba 84); G Porter (T Adeyinka 64), M Bakare (H Osborne 84); Subs not used: J Taylor, M McEntegart.

Forest Green: J Maxted; D Bennett, D Jones, C Clough, J Jennings; S Wedgbury, R Sinclair, D Carter; K Marsh-Brown (K Guthrie 56), J Parkin, E Frear.

Subs not used: D Pipe, T Bender, M Kelly, S Arnold.

Referee: J Brooks (Leics)

Attendance: 660

Star man: Elliott Frear