4:54pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
BOSS Dave Hockaday hailed his battling Forest Green troops after the relegation-haunted side pushed themselves back into the Blue Square Premier survival race.
Rovers were in swashbuckling form and appear ready to save their skins.
Goals from the dazzling Danny Powell and substitute Ollie Thorne handed struggling Rovers a much-needed win over York.
Hockaday said: "We looked a proper team and there was plenty of passion and energy, so I was delighted with everyone involved."
With 11 games to go Hockaday is up for the fight.
He said: "All through the game it was noticeable that there was an extra buzz and energy from our crowd, and it was this '12th man' that helped us see out the game as worthy winners.
"This was three huge points and now we face another 11 cup finals."
Earlier, Hockaday was rocked by the loss of midfielder Craig Rocastle, who left to join American side Kansas City Wizards.
However, Rovers included Craig Armstrong for his first start.
City, missing former Forest Green favourite Alex Lawless, started brightly.
Danny Ireland had to be alert to touch over a 20-yard chip from the dangerous Levi Mackin. Ireland did even better minutes later as he denied Neil Barrett from distance.
Nonethleless, Rovers suddenly gained a foothold and took the lead in the first half when a cross from the jinking Powell dipped over keeper Michael Ingham.
The visitors levelled when Mackin's strike hit the back of Forest Green midfielder David Brown and sent the wrong-footed Ireland the wrong way.
Ireland was at his best as he tipped away a Richard Pacquette strike.
The goalkeeper kept his side in it with a sharp save from a Barrrett header after the break.
However, Rovers nosed ahead when Dave Brown's free-kick was volleyed in by Thorne to secure the points for Rovers.
Forest Green: Ireland, Hodgkiss, Preece, Armstrong (Thorne 46), Stonehouse, Smith, Powell, Platt, Brown (Fowler 77), Ameobi, Rankin (Styche 73).
Subs not used: Wilkinson, Davies.
Booked: Armstrong, Smith, Preece, Ameobi, Platt.
Goals: Powell 22, Thorne 55.
York: Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Graham, Meredith, Purkiss (Gall 72), Mackin, (Rankine 68), Barrett, Carruthers, Pacquette (Pitt 67), Brodie.
Subs not used: Gash, Clarke.
Booked: Mackin, McGurk, Meredith.
Goals: Mackin 34.
Att: 892.
Ref: Chris Powell (Dorset).
Star man: Danny Powell.
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