Forest Green Rovers have progressed through to the semi-finals of the Glos Senior Cup with a 2-1 win away to Yate Town.

Scott Laird’s early free-kick gave Forest Green the lead at the Universal Components Stadium only to be pegged back by David Simms-Burgess in the 26th minute.

Tahvon Campbell was on hand to fire FGR back in front 15 minutes before the end of the game in a second half of few opportunities

It was a mix of youth and experience for the side taken by first team manager Mark Cooper, with James Montgomery, Laird, Lee Collins all starting behind a potent looking front three of Tahvon Campbell, Ben Morris and Isaac Pearce.

It was Morris that had the first real sight of goal for both teams as he was afforded space in the eighth minute and while his shot had plenty of power, it went just wide of the target.

The breakthrough for the visitors took just 13 minutes to come as Campbell was felled on the edge of the box.

Laird stepped up to the set-piece and curled it nicely low into the bottom corner.

It was a similar set-piece that nearly led to a second just three minutes later. This one was 10 yards further out and Laird this time passed it cutely down the right to Pearce whose shot at the angle was well saved by Ross Grimshaw.

Campbell was causing issues driving at the Yate defence and when he cut inside off the right into the box in the 25th minute, only a good block denied him.

However, the loose ball fell to Sam Hendy on the right of the area, who saw his good shot deflected just over the bar.

However, it was the hosts who were to strike next when Sim-Burgess was slipped in behind in the 26th minute, beating the offside trap.

Montgomery was unfortunate to slip as he tried to close the angle and despite finding his feet, could do little as the ball was curled around him into the empty net behind.

The goal gave the hosts added impetus and former FGR youngster Olly Mehew had the chance to get a shot on target but was off balance when he got his shot off and it went wide of the target.

With just five minutes left of the first half, Morris was handed a great chance to restore the visitors’ lead when he was played into the box, only to be denied by a good save by Grimshaw.

It was a second half of few opportunities for either side but with the subs starting to take place, it was to academy players who linked up well in the shape of Dan Ogunleye and Dan Jones.

The former took on his marker well down the right before beating him and cutting the ball back for Jones to pull his shot just wide in the 72nd minute.

It was to be a warning shot and it was Laird involved again as FGR restored their lead just two minutes later.

Laird had a driving run to the edge of the box before playing the ball left to Campbell. He cut back before firing a bullet into the far corner.

A chance fell the way of Ogunleye in the 82nd minute when he took a snap shot on from the edge of the box, a deflection enough to take it past the post.

Ben Brooks was invited to shoot from range in the 87th minute, his shot just dipping wide of the target, before a couple of late drives into the FGR box in time added on for Yate but it wasn't enough to salvage the draw.