Forest Green Rovers

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Moss Lane

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Altrincham 2-5 Forest Green

Forest Green Rovers rallied back from a first-half deficit at Moss Lane on Saturday to beat Altrincham by a comfortable margin and enhance their survival prospects.

Robins boss Graham Heathcote will undoubtedly be disappointed with his side's second-half performance, as they relinquished their two-goal cushion and had a man sent off to add insult to injury.

Forest Green went into the game without the services of top scorer Andy Mangan and defender Darren Jones and it looked like Altrincham would take advantage of the duo's absence as they claimed the lead after just two minutes of play.

Rovers keeper Terry Burton failed to execute his clearance correctly and Colin Little took advantage by lobbing the ball into an unguarded net from 35 yards out.

Little doubled his tally in the 21st minute with a well struck volley from the edge of the penalty box which flew into the top-right corner.

However, the visitors stepped up a gear after the interval and pulled one back in the 47th minute courtesy of Paul Lloyd.

Forest Green restored parity in the 54th minute when David Brown collected an inviting pass from Kaid Mohamed on the left and fired a well placed shot into the bottom-left corner.

Altrincham's day went from bad to worse just one minute later as James Smith received his marching orders after lashing out at Brown.

Rovers pushed forward with renewed vigour and claimed the lead in the 71st minute when Alex Lawless met Lee Fowler's corner kick and fired a powerful effort from 30 yards which flew into the top-left corner.

Jim Harvey's men were then awarded a penalty four minutes later for a foul on Mohamed and Conal Platt calmly slotted home the resulting spot kick.

The visitors netted a fifth goal in injury time when Paul Stonehouse fed a through ball to Marcus Palmer. who slid the ball past goalkeeper Stuart Coburn and into the bottom-left corner.

Altrincham bookings: Danylyk, Young, McGregor.

Sent off: Smith (55).

Forest Green bookings: None.

Ref: J Collins.

Att: 852.