Vanarama Conference

Forest Green 2

Woking 1

THE full-time relief was palpable as an ecstatic Forest Green boss Ady Pennock enthusiastically embraced his players.

Goals from Jon Parkin and Luke Oliver saw Rovers come from behind to beat play-off rivals Woking and climb up to sixth in the Conference on the night of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.

Pennock went on a merry dance to individually thank his squad following the toughest week of his tenure, which featured an unsavoury brawl at FC Halifax and a turgid display against Altrincham to cast huge aspersions on his side’s play-off capabilities.

Rovers are now a point off the play-offs and a delighted Pennock said:"It was a great performance in horrible conditions. It was a massive three points. We showed everything, it was great. I'm buzzing about it."

Rovers looked like they were in for a difficult night when Dean Morgan fizzed in a 22nd minute opener.

But Pennock’s side boast a never say die attitude and found a way to win with defenders Luke Oliver and Danny Coles-impenetrable rocks on a wintry Nailsworth night.

The bearded Rob Sinclair - who epitomises the current hipster look - was coolness  personified with another complete midfield performance.

Earlier, unchanged Rovers, welcomed onto the pitch by a host of former players, almost nosed ahead inside eight minutes when Rob Sinclair's corner was back-heeled by Parkin and forced Chris Arthur into a hack off the line.

Rovers were on the front foot and the back-pedalling Ross Worner did well to glove over a Marcus Kelly wind –assisted corner. For all Rovers attacking verve they were stung by a rare Woking attack.

Rovers looked flat-footed when Dean Morgan turned and picked his spot to beat the out-stretched Sam Russell from a Josh Payne pass.

Despite the anxiety it was Rovers who found parity on 35 minutes. The fleet-footed Elliott Frear skipped down the left and arrowed over a teasing ball. Clovis Kamdjo had a stab at it and Parkin had two bites before bundling it in.

The much-maligned Parkin was on the money. He did well to control a David Pipe pass swiftly on his chest and smash a volley narrowly over.

Pennock’s team were in the driving seat and grabbed a crucial second on 42 minutes.

The giant Oliver rose highest to nod Kelly’s flag kick home.

The elusive Kevin Betsy was posing a threat and his fine approach play wasn’t match with a wayward strike on the cusp of the interval. Rovers almost added a third in added time, but Kamdjo and Guthrie contrived to go for the same ball and the chance went begging.

Rovers started the second half brightly with the elusive Guthrie drilling wide from a Kamdjo assist. However, the Cards 11 forces Russell into a plunging save.

Woking started to gain a foothold, but Russell did well to deny Joey Jones and then superbly fingered a Payne fizzer around the post .

Rovers replied with a Kelly free-kick flying just over after the buccaneering Kamdjo had been fouled.

A sublime move almost conjured a third for Rovers. Kelly fed Sinclair, who turned away and opened Woking up, but Frear was denied by the onrushing Worner.

Woking looked for a last-gasp goal, but a resolute Rovers hung on.

Forest Green: S. Russell; D. Pipe, L. Oliver, D. Coles, M. Kelly; C. Kamdjo, R. Sinclair, S. Wedgbury, E. Frear (C. Stokes 90) J. Parkin, K. Guthrie.

Subs not used: A. Racine, L. McGrory, L. Hughes, P. White.

Woking: R. Worner; J. Clarke, J. McNerney, M. Cestor, C. Arthur (J. Goddard 77); A. Newton (K. Murtagh 80), J. Payne, J. Jones, K. Betsy; D. Morgan, G. Sole (J. Marriott 63). Subs not used: T. Lewis, A. Little.

Referee: I. Hussin (Merseyside)

Attendance: 970

Star Man: Marcus Kelly.