Forest Green Rovers remain in the Sky Bet League Two relegation zone, following their defeat to promotion contenders Exeter City last night.
Mark Cooper started former Grecian Rueben Reid as striker, but his influence was not enough to inspire an unlikely away win. The closest Rovers came was a drilled effort from fullback Daniel Wishart, which flashed just past the post midway through the first half.
Cooper’s side had the better of posession but soon found themselves behind after the restart. The Gloucestershire club were caught out by a quick free-kick, and Jayden Stockley turned in Kyle Edwards’ cross on 50 minutes.
Forest Green were then outdone again minutes later as Dayle Bennett tripped the lively Edwards in the box. Pierce Sweeney dispatched the resulting spot-kick to end Cooper’s hopes of an unlikely away point.
Despite the result, Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was full of praise towards Forest Green Rover’s performance, telling Exeter City’s club website:
“They were the better side first half, but we defended really well. They had a couple of half chances, but we used our half-time really well and made an immediate response in the 15 minutes after the break.
“It is winter football. The pitch is really difficult to play on but we were really disciplined in what we did and it was all about the result and the result was fabulous. We did what we had to do. We defended really well in the first half when they had their moment.”
Forest Green have also been boosted by the deadline day loan-signing of Grimsby Town midfielder Chris Clements. Last night’s game came too early for the 27-year old but he will be in contention for a place in the squad on Saturday as, Coventry City visit the New Lawn.
