Irked by Forest Green’s first defeat of the season at Port Vale in mid-week, manager Mark Cooper made five changes.

In a tweaked 4-3-3 formation – concussion-free Farrend Rawson came into the centre of defence alongside Matt  Mills with Udoka Godwin-Malife dropping into right-back and Liam Kitching coming in for his full league debut at left-back. Captain Joseph Mills was pushed up to the left of midfield and the mercurial Dayle Grubb was afforded his first full start of the season. Striker Shawn McCoulsky returned after being rested in the defeat at Port Vale