National League

Forest Green 0

Gateshead 1

FOREST Green tasted defeat at home for the first time this season, but still remain top of the National League table.

A fifth-minute Jimmy Phillips goal proved to be the pivotal moment of the match to hand Gateshead the points on an afternoon of frustration for Rovers.

With second-placed Cheltenham dropping to third after a last-gasp home defeat to Tranmere, Rovers now lead the table by just two points from improving Gateshead.

Earlier, Ady Pennock’s selection headache was made somewhat easier with captain David Pipe incurring a one-game suspension after Rovers lost an FA appeal against his red card in a behind closed doors friendly against Bath City last April.

The Rovers’ boss replaced Pipe with midfield conductor Rob Sinclair, who returned from his one-game suspension.

Darren Carter retained his place in midfield after an impressive debut against Cheltenham Town leaving Sam Wedgbury to sit on bench following his one-game ban.

Forest Green fans’ favourite Sam Russell returned to the New Lawn for the first time since his summer move to Gateshead as did winger James Marwood.

Rovers started with intent. Russell was forced into an early low save when Aaron O’Connor created a chance inside the opening two minutes.

But they were stung by the Heed on five minutes. The defence stood off - Marwood cut the ball across the box for Phillips to strike into the corner of the net with clinical aplomb.

Rovers responded. Darren Jones searching ball saw Keanu Marsh-Brown and Elliott Frear link for O’Connor to be denied by a last-ditch Jamie Chandler block.

Hit by the early goal, Rovers huffed and puffed. O’Connor tried an audacious back-heel following a Frear run.

A rousing run down the right from Frear saw the slightly built winger ride a crunching Jordan Cranston tackle, but his slide-rule pass saw O’Connor fizz high over Russell’s bar.

O’Connor was a crossbar away from snatching parity for Rovers. Frear and Kurtis Guthrie created the chance, but despite a clean connection, his 32nd minute stinger beat Russell, but smashed the bar.

It was all Rovers - Marsh-Brown fizzing over from outside the box.

Rovers held the attacking initiative but lacked the killer touch in a frustrating first half.

Pennock made his first change on 54 minutes - Jon Parkin replacing the luckless O’Connor.

Parkin was quickly into the game. Cranston blocked the burly striker as he shaped to shoot following a clever Marsh-Brown assist.

Parkin was closer moments later as his overhead kick bounced wide of the bottom corner from a Dale Bennett throw.

Russell had to be at his brilliant best to deny Frear from point-blank range after Parkin played in Bennett. Rovers’ former keeper showed sharp reflexes to block on the line with 19 minutes to go.

Rovers’ danger in attack was all about Frear and another trademark excursion down the wing allowed Marsh-Brown to place a deflected shot agonisingly wide.

Pennock put on defender Charlie Clough up front with a last throw of the dice.

Clough and Jones went close at the death on a frustrating day for Rovers.

Forest Green: J Maxted, D Bennett (C Clough 90), M Kelly, A Racine, D Jones (c), D Carter, R Sinclair, K Marsh-Brown, K Guthrie (D Sam-Yorke 79), A O’Connor ( J Parkin 54), E. Frear.

Subs not used: D Eve, S Wedgbury.

Star man: Elliott Frear.

Attendance: 1,256.

Next up: Grimsby Town (a) Saturday, October 3.