Luke McGee’s goalkeeping masterclass helped Forest Green earn a 0-0 draw against Exeter in a tense West Country derby on Tuesday evening.

It was Exeter who started the brighter, with Josh Key slamming wide from Matt Jay’s deflected strike.

Rovers were a whisker from getting their noses in front, captain Jamille Matt a boot away from touching in a Nicky Cadden cross in the 17th minute.

The Grecians responded as the impressive Jay brought a brave block out of McGee.

The move of a scratchy opening 45 minutes saw Cameron Dawson glove a near-post strike from Jack Aitchison after an audacious turn and spin from Kane Wilson.

The stalemate was almost broken by the visitors when Archie Collins’ free-kick was superbly touched over by McGee with 54 minutes gone.

Exeter continued to hold sway and Timothee Dieng planted a free header wide when scoring looked easier.

McGee’s reaction save with his feet prevented Dieng a certain goal with 11 minutes to go, leaving Rovers forced to settle for a point that moved them eight clear at the top of the table.

Forest Green boss Rob Edwards was satisfied with the draw, which saw his side's unbeaten run in the league extended to 11 games.

He said: “We will definitely take a point, we were far from our best against a good team and when you are not at your best you have to find a way not to lose a game – they earned it and landed on the second balls and stopped us being at our usual best.”

Edwards heralded the impact of keeper McGee, adding: “Luke (McGee) did well with a number of good saves and kept us in it.”