NATIONAL LEAGUE

WOKING 0

FOREST GREEN 1

MOHAWK man Liam Noble was a cut above as Mark Cooper’s side made it back-to-back 1-0 wins.

Noble, who took the clippers to his barnet ahead of his first game of the season, caught the eye for his energetic, front-foot performance in midfield masterclass and it was his clever assist, which allowed Keanu Marsh-Brown to volley in the only goal of the game.

Last season it was a Dan Holman inspired Woking who  ended Rovers’ nine-game opening winning streak, but this time Cooper’s outfit picked off their bogey side.

Making three tweaks to the team that defeated Gateshead on Saturday, Rovers started on the front-foot - Marsh-Brown fizzing two early trademark distance strikes wide.

Woking, who did the double over Rovers were in no mood to be overrun and forced Sam Russell to glove a Jake Caprice cross to safety.

Rovers were comfortable in possession and in one patient move Rhys Murphy, in for Matt Tubbs, produced a clever little dummy to pick the ball up and smash just wide of Michael Poke.

And it was  sublime movement, which gave Rovers a 19th-minute lead – Noble’s clever dink was met by a sumptuous Marsh-Brown volley.

Woking flickered into life, but Russell got a decent block on a direct Zak Ansah hit.

Rovers rallied wiith Aarran Racine heading wide from a deep Ben Jefford free-kick.

However, Rovers suffered a blow on 29 minutes when Rob Sinclair fell to the ground with what transpired to be a groin strain.

Jefford’s set-plays were a threat during the opening 45 minutes and on the cusp of the break Noble thought he had a goal on his debut when nodding in, but his joy was short-lived due to an offside flag.

Caprice was Woking’s standout player in the first half and his dart down the right saw him strike high and wide from 40 yards as The Cards hunted parity after the break.

Rovers were caught on the break from their own corner and Jefford was handed a yellow for stopping Ansah in his speedy tracks and from the free-kick Fabio Saraiva saw his free-kick skid wide.

Cooper’s side had lost their way somewhat, but they boast a star-studded bench and  Tubbs entered the fray just before the hour for Murphy.

However, frustrations mounted for Woking with Chigozie Ugwu the next man in the book for a robust challenge on Racine and Keiran Murtagh followed after clipping Marsh-Brown – and the resulting Noble free-kick was bent up and over the wall, but superbly clawed away by the gropping Poke.

Rovers suffered a few late worries, but remained resolute at the back in five minutes of nerve-jangling stoppage-time.w

Tubbs was denied by Poke at the death as Rovers gained three important points.

Forest Green: (4-1-3-2) Russell; Bennett, Jefford, Racine, Pinnock; Traore; Noble, Sinclair ( Carter,29), Carter, Marsh-Brown; Doidge(Moore, 83) Moore, Murphy (Tubbs, 59).

Subs not used: Maxted, Chemlal.

Attendance: 868.

Star Man: Liam Noble.