1-2
First Half
The Rovers enjoyed the majority of the early play, winning 3 corners in the first ten minutes. Although the Forest defence struggled to clear their lines, the Rovers gained no reward. Continuing to press, it was McCormack who had the first crack at goal from 25 yards after 20 minutes but he only succeeded in hitting the top tier of hospitality boxes at the Town end.
Having weathered the early storm, the Forest began to gain some momentum in attack with Tyson, in particular, causing problems for the Rovers defence with his electric pace. The referee turned one appeal for a penalty down when Tyson claimed he had been pulled back by Wheater after 24 minutes. Then, on 25 minutes, the ball came down the Forest left to the edge of th 6 yard box, Budtz stood off leaving COMMONS to tap the ball in.
With their tails up now the visitors should have added to their score four minutes later when Grant Holt took advantage of the Rovers stopping for a throw in but not getting any encouragement from the linesman. Getting to the byline, he crossed low to the far post where Tyson stabbed it wide from two yards. The Rovers tried hard to get back their former superiority of possession but the game settled into an even contest, mostly in midfield, the break coming with Forest holding their one goal lead.
Second Half
The Rovers started the second half in lively fashion but with two minutes showing on the clock a loose pass across the pitch by Horlock was picked up by Perch, who put TYSON in down the left. A fierce drive across Budtz nestled in the far corner, increasing the lead to two goals. The Rovers tried to hit back but were thwarted by a resolute Forest defence determined to preserve their lead.
Manager Penney changed his strike force just past the hour in a bid to find a goal, introducing Neil Roberts and Guy to the fray. Continuing to press, the Rovers found themselves susceptible to the counter attack as witnessed on 75 minutes when a Rovers attack was blunted, the ball swept out to the left for Bennett to cross and Grant Holt to head just over the bar. With four minutes of normal time left, some frenzied defending by Forest resulted in Clingan pushing Green over in the penalty area.
With no McIndoe to take the penalties it was COPPINGER who stepped up and slammed it to Pedersen's right for what was just a consolation goal. The home team tried very hard in the remaining minutes, augmented by five minutes of added on time but they could not get an equaliser.
Final score, an annoying 1-2 to Forest.