FOREST GREEN 2

BOREHAM WOOD 0

ROOKIE Forest Green striker Omar Bugiel stepped off the bench to grab a goal and assist in a stunning 12-minute debut to help Rovers stay on the coat tails of leaders Lincoln City.

The German-born striker, impressed boss Mark Cooper enough during a week’s trial from Ryman Premier outfit Worthing to earn an 18-month deal on Friday – before showing what a hot-prospect he is with a sweet touch for Christian Doidge to smash in his 16th goal of the season on 83 minutes and then the newbie banged home the second with three minutes to go after Liam Noble's stinger had been parried.

In truth, Rovers deserved this victory and started on the front foot with their brand of passing football trying to knock on the door of a dogged Boreham Wood who had Grant Smith on his toes to save a Doidge’s header from a Liam Noble cross.

At the other end, former Bristol Rovers striker Angelo Balanta tested Sam Russell with a skidder as he got in behind Rovers' defence.

Loan duo Kaiyne Woolery and Charlie Cooper fizzed over from outside the box as Rovers bossed it.

However, Bruno Andrade hit the side netting for the visitors.

Five minutes before the break Cooper went close again. Patient build up play saw Dale Bennett draw the ball back for the former, who curled a shot just off target.

Rovers made a positive start to the second-half.

The alert Smith had to scramble to ensure Matt Paine’s touch from a Noble cross didn’t end up in the back of his own net.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end - Russell saved smartly from Balanta after Ricky Shakes’ initial effort had been blocked.

Smith was on the money for Boreham Wood on the hour as he frustrated Doidge following a sumptuous Cooper cross, and then followed that up with another key save to prevent Noble from nodding past him.

And after he had kept out Keanu Marsh-Brown’s long range hit, Bugiel was introduced for the first time.

It wasn't all Rovers' way and Russell had to repel Andrade with a strong glove.

On 83 minutes the goal arrived. Noble’s sweet pass into Bugiel saw his measured pass allow Doidge to blast in.

Five minutes later and it was game over. Noble’s stinger was too hot to handle for Smith, and Bugiel slotted home.

STAR MAN: Omar Bugiel - Came on and helped Rovers to a vital victory.

ATT: 1,575

ENTERTAINMENT: 3  /5

REFEREE: Mr Scott Oldham  7 /10

FOREST GREEN: ( 4-3-3) Russell 7 ; Bennett 7,  Ellis 7, Pinnock 8, Wishart 6; Sinclair7 (Wedgbury 90), Noble 7, Cooper 7 ( Bugiel 8, 78); Gosling 6, Doidge 6, Woolery 6 ( Marsh-Brown 6, 57)

Subs not used : Traore, Monthe.

BOREHAM WOOD:  ( 4-4-2) Smith 7, Nunn 6, Paine 7, Goodliffe 6, Ilesanmi 6; Davis 7, Reason 6 ( Rickets, 68), Shakes7, Andrade 7; Ferrier 6 ( Hitchcock 6, 75), Balanta6 (Uchechi, 90)

Subs not used: Boal, Thomas.