Perrin and Cooper star in Trophy victory (From Stroud News and Journal)

Perrin and Cooper star in Trophy victory

FA Umbro Trophy 4th round Forest Green Rovers 1, Worksop Town 0 GOALKEEPER Steve Perrin and skipper Mark Cooper were again the heroes as Forest Green Rovers booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Umbro Trophy.

Perrin was in outstanding form as he saved a second-half penalty and Cooper struck another quality free-kick to earn Rovers a fifth round match at Stevenage Borough on February 23.

Forest Green manager Nigel Spink was delighted with the result and he said: "I am pleased and there were 11 heroes out there today. We've worked hard and got back to basics"

Rovers started the brighter and nearly opened the scoring a minute and a half into the match but Cooper's volley from the edge of the area stuck the crossbar. Cooper put his head in his hands when he watched his volley hit the bar but in the 12th minute he was celebrating after scoring another of his trademark free-kicks.

The influential midfielder placed the ball 40 yards from goal and Worksop lined up expecting a cross into the box. But Cooper had other ideas and sent a powerful low drive skidding into the bottom left corner of the Town net.

One of the main talking points of this tie was a penalty appeal that was turned down by referee Mr K Stroud.

Alex Meechan chased a ball into the box, went round the keeper and was pulled down. Mr Stroud waved away Rovers' protests but there was contact and a penalty should have been awarded.

Spink said: "I think there is inconsistency with officials, if it's not a penalty then Alex should be booked for diving."

Most of Worksop's best moments came through their striker Gary Townsend and he was unlucky in the 18th minute when his free-kick clipped the top of the net.

The visitors became more frustrated and yellow cards were awarded to Brian Linnigan, Andy Gray and Krystof Kotylo in the matter of three minutes.

But they started to come into the match more and were awarded a penalty on 69 minutes. Perrin saved a thumping shot from outside the box by Kotylo but when the ball broke loose Futcher brought down Gavin Smith.

Townsend stepped up and hit a well struck penalty towards Perrin's bottom right corner but the keeper diving save to his left and kept the ball out.

Townsend can feel unlucky with his miss because the save by Perrin was simply outstanding. Worksop attacked to try and force and replay but Rovers held on to continue their

FA Umbro Trophy Fifth round draw (Ties to be played on February 23): Barnet or Scarborough v Morecambe; Gravesend & Northfleet or Hendon v Mangotsfield Utd or Stalybridge Celtic; Margate v North Ferriby Utd or Braintree T; Stevenage Borough v Forest Green Rovers; Yeovil T or Doncaster Rovers v Canvey Island; Farnborough T or Burton Albion v Woking; Chester City or Solihull Borough v Hereford Utd or Hampton & Richmond B; Northwich Victoria v Telford Utd