LINCOLN CITY 1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 2
FOREST Green got back to winning ways in thoroughly assured fashion at Sincil Bank, despite a late scare.
Yan Klukowski's seventh minute goal – his 11th of the season in all competitions – was added to on the stroke of half-time by Chris Stokes.
Substitute Adam Smith's penalty reduced the arrears with five minutes remaining, but the result was rarely in doubt as Rovers consolidated fourth place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.
Reece Styche was recalled to Dave Hockaday's starting XI and was quickly at the heart of the action, latching onto a ball over the top but failing to trouble home keeper David Preece with a first-time shot.
Less than a minute later he saw an angled drive come back off the crossbar and land at the feet of Klukowski, who rammed home via an attempted goalline clearance by Chris Bush.
Lincoln's ranks included an ex-Rover in midfielder Jake Thomson, and he was unfortunate not to make it 1-1 in the 21st minute when he let fly with a 25-yard shot that struck the post.
But still the visitors looked the more threatening outfit, and Styche saw a low angled effort helped around the post by a plunging Preece.
The resulting corner was cleared, but Klukowski had a second chance to deliver and his inswinger was bundled over the line by Stokes from a yard out.
It seemed Rovers were coasting to victory, but with five minutes left Stokes was adjudged to have handled from a corner and referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the spot.
Smith stroked home from 12 yards to give hope to the hosts, though it proved only fleeting as a green wall saw the job through.
See Monday's Citizen for Peter Orchard's match overview, match reaction and pictures.
Forest Green: S. Russell; J. Hodgkiss, J. Turley, E. Oshodi, C. Stokes; K. Forbes, J. Collins, Y. Klukowski; M. Taylor, R. Styche (E. Asafu-Adjaye 86), J. Norwood (M. Vieira 56); Subs not used: P. Green, Y. Odubade, M. Bulman
FOREST Green got back to winning ways in thoroughly assured fashion at Sincil Bank, despite a late scare.
Yan Klukowski's seventh minute goal – his 11th of the season in all competitions – was added to on the stroke of half-time by Chris Stokes.
Substitute Adam Smith's penalty reduced the arrears with five minutes remaining, but the result was rarely in doubt as Rovers consolidated fourth place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.
Reece Styche was recalled to Dave Hockaday's starting XI and was quickly at the heart of the action, latching onto a ball over the top but failing to trouble home keeper David Preece with a first-time shot.
Less than a minute later he saw an angled drive come back off the crossbar and land at the feet of Klukowski, who rammed home via an attempted goalline clearance by Chris Bush.
Lincoln's ranks included an ex-Rover in midfielder Jake Thomson, and he was unfortunate not to make it 1-1 in the 21st minute when he let fly with a 25-yard shot that struck the post.
But still the visitors looked the more threatening outfit, and Styche saw a low angled effort helped around the post by a plunging Preece.
The resulting corner was cleared, but Klukowski had a second chance to deliver and his inswinger was bundled over the line by Stokes from a yard out.
It seemed Rovers were coasting to victory, but with five minutes left Stokes was adjudged to have handled from a corner and referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the spot.
Smith stroked home from 12 yards to give hope to the hosts, though it proved only fleeting as a green wall saw the job through.
See Monday's Citizen for Peter Orchard's match overview, match reaction and pictures.
Forest Green: S. Russell; J. Hodgkiss, J. Turley, E. Oshodi, C. Stokes; K. Forbes, J. Collins, Y. Klukowski; M. Taylor, R. Styche (E. Asafu-Adjaye 86), J. Norwood (M. Vieira 56); Subs not used: P. Green, Y. Odubade, M. Bulman