Forest Green overcame tough opposition in promotion chasing Tranmere Rovers as they claimed a hard fought 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon, writes Sam Wiles. 

The win saw Jimmy Ball and his men move back into the play-off spots, as they now sit in seventh place ahead of their final game of the league season.

Second half goals from Josh Davison and Aaron Collins cemented the victory despite a late stunner of a consolation goal from Keiron Morris.

The victory was marred slightly for Forest Green as Ebou Adams was sent off for the third time this season after receiving a second yellow card for a high knee.

Down to 10 men, Rovers had to be strong and resolute in defense as they warded off an excellent opponent.

Interim head coach Ball commended his side’s “world-class” defensive display, as he said: “When you ask men to put their bodies on the line and defend and they do, you just can’t praise them enough.

“They were brave, aggressive, against a real good side, a real good side, let’s get that right.

“The whole team had to defend at times because we were down to 10 men and they absolutely put that shift in, did everything they needed to, put their body on the line and I’m very, very proud of them.”

Adams was sent off for the third time in this calendar year, making him Forest Green’s most dismissed player this season and Ball admitted that the midfielder needs to develop more maturity in his game.

“I think they’re (the decisions) both really, really harsh and soft but the boy’s got to learn,” he said.

“He’s got to grow up a little bit and learn from these rash decisions that he makes because there’s a good footballer there.”

A win in their next game would guarantee Forest Green making the play-offs but the temporary boss is adamant that the fixture against Oldham will be just another game.

He said: “We’ll go and play in another big game, another all-or-nothing game and it’s great.

“We’ve got to go and win away at Oldham and that has not changed since we lost against Barrow and it won’t change in my mind.

“If we win against Oldham nothing else matters and that’s the direction we’re going in.”

Forest Green’s next – and potentially final – game of the season is an away trip to 18th placed Oldham Athletic on Saturday afternoon. (Kick off 3pm)