FOREST GREEN 2

SOLIHULL MOORS 1

CHRISTIAN DOIDGE’S dramatic stoppage-time winner raised the roof and the pulses as Forest Green jumped above title rivals Lincoln City at the summit.

On a high-octane night, hot-shot Doidge was on hand to smash and grab a 94th-minute lifeline to spark unbridled scenes of joy as Rovers cranked up the pressure on title rivals Lincoln City, who fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at Boreham Wood – losing their grip on top spot in the process.

Rovers now lead Lincoln by three points ahead of their pivotal title fight, but the Imps remain in pole position with three games in hand.

Doidge is sparkling and plundered his 13th goal in as many games on a night of huff and puff, which saw a resilient Rovers post their fifth successive home victory.

Recalled Frenchman Fabien Robert reminded everyone of the tools he possesses with a neat first-half finish to nose Rovers ahead at the break.

But Rovers wobbled after the interval and the impressive Oladapo Afolayan levelled things up with 31 minutes to go.

Earlier, boss Mark Cooper made four changes to the team, which overwhelmed Wrexham on Saturday.

Marcus Kelly, Darren Carter and Kaiyne Woolery dropped to the bench, Drissa Traore missed out altogether. Rob Sinclair, Fabien Robert, Omar Bugiel and Dan Wishart were all afforded starts.

Rovers started on the front-foot – Liam Noble’s exquisite pass finding Robert, who demanded a stunning glove from the alert Nathan Baxter.

Five corners in the opening 10 minutes set the early dominance for Rovers. Mark Ellis planted a header over and then Dan Wishart fizzed wide from the edge of the box.

Rovers’ early dominance stumbled somewhat as their normally crisp passing style went off course. Solihull tried to find their range and threatened with Ashley Sammons demanding a plunging save from Sam Russell, and then the busy Afolayan watched his skidder fly over.

First-half nerves were settled six minutes before the break with a slick passing sequence. Toying with Solihull – Noble carved an opening for Robert to add a touch of French pizazz. Robert had the bit between his teeth – twice denied by the reactions of Baxter - Rovers ending the half in rude health.

Rovers started the second-half in nervy fashion as they struggled to find any cohesion. Sloppy defending allowed Afolayan to drive beyond Mark Ellis and stab beyond Russell for 59th-minute parity.

Rovers were rocked, but with news of Lincoln losing at Boreham Wood, the crowd were given hope when Charlie Cooper’s howitzer from 30 yards flew just over.

It was end-to-end, Afolayan stepping on the gas to smack the outside of the post beyond a beaten Russell.

The clock ticked and hearts were in Rovers’ mouth as sub Kaiyne Woolery saw his header thunder the underside of the bar from a Robert cross after Noble’s forward prod.

Solihull pressed on and with 10 minutes to go Nortei Nortey pulled a ball back across the box, but Afolayni somehow contrived to turn the ball over the bar.

And just when a point seemed the most probable outcome, the last attacking action saw sub Jake Gosling find Noble and his pass picked out Mark Ellis and his dink saw Doidge swivel in the box and smash home.

Forest Green: (4-1-2-1-2) Russell; Wedgbury, Bennett, Ellis, Wishart ( Kelly 83); Sinclair; Noble, Cooper ( Gosling 87); Bugiel ( Woolery 67); Doidge, Robert.

Subs not used: Carter, Monthe

Attendance:1,445

Star Man: Fabien Robert