A Christian Doidge penalty was enough to see Forest Green earn victory against League One Bristol Rovers. 

The striker scored his fourth goal of pre-season as Rovers earnt their third win since returning to action. 

Mark Cooper picked a strong team to face the Pirates. Robert Sanchez, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, was given the nod in goal while Theo Archibald and Reece Brown were given starts after they began on the bench in Rovers' last home friendly against Leeds United. 

Forest Green got off the perfect start and were awarded a penalty after just six minutes. 

New signing Lloyd James, who arrived from Exeter City this summer, slid in a lovely ball in behind which Doidge latched onto. 

The striker was then brought down by the keeper and the referee pointed to the spot.

The 25-year-old dispatched his penalty despite keeper Adam Smith getting a hand to it. 

Cooper's men had their tales up and had another chance to double their lead two minutes later when Carl Winchester got on the end of a cross from the left but his effort on the stretched was deflected behind. 

Rovers were pretty dominant in the first half. Doidge, James and Theo Archibald have half chances. Reece Brown was also having a good half and was the creative spark behind FGR's play. 

Despite their dominance, Cooper's side were given a left off just before half time when Sanchez gave away possession but Tom Nichols couldn't convert despite having an empty net at his mercy. 

Rovers started the second half like the first, and thought they had a second just minutes in.

A lovely cross found the head of Doidge who found the back of the net for the second time in the match, only to see the linesman flag for offisde. 

Sanchez didn't have too much to do in the match but did well when called upon when he punched Mo Baghdadi's free kick over the bar from a dangerous position.

James and Doidge both came close to adding a second for Rovers. James had a curled shot saved while Doidge had a header cleared off the line. 

Darrell Clarke's Rovers applied some late pressure but FGR stood firm. An encouraging win for Cooper who will be equally as pleased with the clean sheet. 

Rovers' next friendly is away at Hereford on Wednesday night.