Forest Green in need of points (From Stroud News and Journal)

Forest Green in need of points

GARY OWERS will be looking for a positive response when he takes his inconsistent Forest Green side to high-flying Accrington Stanley this Friday (7.30pm). Rovers will certainly have their work cut out after Stanley ended Grays unbeaten start to the season.

Conference Forest Green 1 Canvey Island 2

FOREST GREEN'S smallest Conference crowd of just 678 watched agonisingly on as the Nailsworth side served up a wretched performance to send Gary Owers' side spiraling into the relegation zone.

Earlier, they took the lead through the impish Alex Meechan on 23 minutes. On loan midfielder Ryan Harley picked out Meechan, who atoned for his earlier one-on-one miss, to sweep in his third goal of the season.

Julian Alsop almost made it two as he ran clear after strong midfield endeavour from the impressive Ben Harding, who joined on a month's loan from Danny Wilson's MK Dons. Alsop saw his firm strike turned away by Danny Potter.

However, from the resulting corner Canvey were allowed to counter and were rewarded through an exquisite chip from the outstanding Lee Boylan after 34 minutes. Rovers were rocked. Ryan Clarke was forced to show assured hands on the cusp of the interval.

After the break a last-ditch tackle from Luke Graham prevented Canvey's Jeff Minton making it two. Nonetheless, Jon Keeling, who had been a thorn in the side of Sekani Simpson all afternoon, got in side the former Bristol City full-back to allow Minton to sweep home on 61 minutes.

Zema Abbey and Bruno Teixeira were introduced immediately, but it was the redoubtable Paul Wanless who came closest to snatching 85th minute parity. Potter somehow scooped his fizzing strike from the edge of the box over the bar.