EBBSFLEET UNITED 0 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 2
FOREST Green boosted their Blue Square Bet Premier play-off hopes with a thoroughly professional display in Kent.
James Norwood's 17th goal of the season broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time, and a debut strike from substitute Reece Connolly sealed a precious three points.
The struggling hosts cracked when Paul Green put Norwood in the clear and his low shot went under Preston Edwards on its way into the net.
It could easily have been 2-0 a minute later when Kieron Forbes' effort cannoned off a defender and the follow-up from Wes Burns was parried by Edwards.
New loan signing Connolly replaced Taylor in the 63rd minute, and his industry earned a corner from which Eddie Oshodi saw a goalbound shot blocked.
A wildly wayward attempt by Stefan Payne was the best Ebbsfleet could muster by way of a response before their deficit was doubled, Connolly pouncing on an underhit back-pass by Lorraine and coolly rounding Edwards to score.
Edwards prevented a third Forest Green goal in stoppage time, first denying Yan Klukowski before blocking the rebound from another substitute Omar Koroma.
See Monday's Citizen for Peter Orchard's match overview, match reaction and pictures.
Forest Green: S. Russell; J. Hodgkiss, D. Bennett, E. Oshodi, C. Stokes; P. Green, A. Bangura, K. Forbes; W. Burns (Y. Klukowski 72), M. Taylor (R. Connolly 63), J. Norwood (O. Koroma 90); Subs not used: J. Collins, Odubade.
FOREST Green boosted their Blue Square Bet Premier play-off hopes with a thoroughly professional display in Kent.
James Norwood's 17th goal of the season broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time, and a debut strike from substitute Reece Connolly sealed a precious three points.
The struggling hosts cracked when Paul Green put Norwood in the clear and his low shot went under Preston Edwards on its way into the net.
It could easily have been 2-0 a minute later when Kieron Forbes' effort cannoned off a defender and the follow-up from Wes Burns was parried by Edwards.
New loan signing Connolly replaced Taylor in the 63rd minute, and his industry earned a corner from which Eddie Oshodi saw a goalbound shot blocked.
A wildly wayward attempt by Stefan Payne was the best Ebbsfleet could muster by way of a response before their deficit was doubled, Connolly pouncing on an underhit back-pass by Lorraine and coolly rounding Edwards to score.
Edwards prevented a third Forest Green goal in stoppage time, first denying Yan Klukowski before blocking the rebound from another substitute Omar Koroma.
See Monday's Citizen for Peter Orchard's match overview, match reaction and pictures.
Forest Green: S. Russell; J. Hodgkiss, D. Bennett, E. Oshodi, C. Stokes; P. Green, A. Bangura, K. Forbes; W. Burns (Y. Klukowski 72), M. Taylor (R. Connolly 63), J. Norwood (O. Koroma 90); Subs not used: J. Collins, Odubade.