National League

Forest Green 1

Braintree Town 0

JON Parkin’s second half goal saw Forest Green temporarily leapfrog Cheltenham Town at the top of the National League.

Rovers made it seven wins on the spin with a dogged display against a resilient Braintree outfit.

The Gloucestershire bragging rights remained Rovers overnight, but Cheltenham returned to the top with a last-gasp stoppage time 2-1 victory against Dover Athletic on Sunday.

With new signing Kieffer Moore obtaining international clearance, Pennock handed the striker a place as a makeshift defender to negate the loss of the suspended Aarran Racine.

However, Moore, is no stranger to the role having played a number of games for Yeovil at the back.

Pennock also named Birmingham City teenage midfielder Charlie Cooper, son of Forest Green legend Mark, after securing his signature for a month on Saturday morning, but could find no place for the out of favour Darren Jones, who is set to return to Newport County on Monday.

Braintree created the first moment of note, but goalkeeper Steve Arnold did well to touch over Dan Sparkes flighted cross.

Rovers responded. Sam Wedgbury delivered a delicious free-kick, which almost picked out the diving Charlie Clough.

Braintree were allowing Rovers plenty of the ball as Parkin and Darren Carter went close to breaking the deadlock following incisive wing-play from Elliott Frear.

A moment of individual creativity from the twinkle-toes of Keanu Martsh-Brown saw Rovers go close to breaking the first half stalemate.

The pink-booted star cut a 27th minute swathe through midfield to toe-poke wide of Michael Crowe’s post. Seconds later a sweet right-footed curler from Dale Bennett saw the leaping Parkin nod over.

A forgettable first half was brought to an end when one-time Forest Green target Simeon Akinola fizzed wide and Kenny Davis fluffed his lines after Michael Cheek had nicked the ball beyond the previously impeccable Moore.

A minute into the second half and Moore saw yellow for holding back Cheek.

Rovers were soon on the front-foot – Frear seeing his strike blocked from a Parkin assist.

Pressure told and Rovers took a deserved 52nd minute lead.

Frear’s cross from the left picked out Carter and his strike inside the box saw Crowe put up a strong hand, but Parkin reacted quickest to nod the free ball home.

A flurry of yellow cards took the flow out of the game with Braintree’s Davis booked for a nibble at Rovers’ defender James Jennings and Rob Sinclair following suit for blocking the speedy Akinola.

Parkin showed great technique to hook a shot into Crowe with his back to goal after Frear and Jennings combined down the left.

Rovers were looking for a game-over second and a last-ditch Sam Habergham tackle denied Carter an opportunity.

Pennock made a double substitution with seven minutes to go. Brett Williams and Kurtis Guthrie coming on for Carter and goalscorer Parkin.
Marsh-Brown should have made it 2-0 in stoppage time as he fizzed over from a Frear cross.

Forest Green: S Arnold, D Bennett, J Jennings, K Moore, C Clough, S Wedgbury, R Sinclair, D Carter ( B Williams 83) K Marsh-Brown, J Parkin (K Guthrie 83), E Frear (D Pipe 90).

Subs not used: M Kelly, C Cooper.

Star Man: Charlie Clough: Stepped up to the plate in the absence of Aarran Racine and produced a composed performance at the heart of Rovers’ defence alongside new boy Kieffer Moore.

Attendance: 1,507

Away: 40

Next up: Southport (A) January 26.