Skrill Premier

Macclesfield Town 1 Forest Green 2

A FIRST half double from Yan Klukowski earned Forest Green all three points at Macclesfield and a place in the history books for the popular midfielder, writes Richard Joyce.

The 27-year-old bagged a stunning brace to see him become the club’s all-time leading Conference goal scorer – breaking a seven season old record previously held by Alex Meechan.

A tremendous right-footed strike, and delightful header from the attacking midfielder, set Rovers on their way to back-to-back away victories for the first time this season.

Scott Boden managed to hit back in the second half for the Silkmen but they never really looked like troubling Ady Pennock’s charges.

One change saw Lee Hughes return to the front line in place of Charlton Athletic loanee Bradley Jordan as James Norwood was moved into a position on the left of midfield.

Rovers got off to the best possible start thanks to the class of Klukowski, who rifled a terrific finish into the top corner within the opening two minutes.

The former Bath City man’s goal was at the forefront of a bright Rovers opening, which saw Norwood test Macclesfield keeper Rhys Taylor after a well-worked throw-in move just minutes later.

Former Football League side Macclesfield were restricted to only long range efforts as Daniel Whitaker and Boden were both denied from distance.

Klukowski then notched his second of the evening on 19 minutes as he met Norwood’s ball into the box with a classy header that left Taylor stranded.

Rovers missed out on a marvellous opportunity to add a third seconds before half-time.

Eddie Oshodi’s initial effort was blocked on the line brilliantly and Hughes’ follow up attempt was blasted horribly over the bar.

A flurry of activity around the hour mark saw the hosts hit back through in-form former Chesterfield striker Boden.

Sam Russell initially saved well from the attacker’s low effort on goal and then Danny Andrew saw his pin-point header turned away by the Rovers keeper.

However, he could do nothing to stop Boden from applying an excellent finish to Andy Hall’s low ball into the box moments later.

Hughes went close to re-establishing Rovers' two-goal advantage with a header that crashed against the woodwork shortly after.

And the former West Brom striker should have restored the gap between the two sides as the game reached its latter stages but he spooned over.

However, it was a job well done for Ady Pennock’s outfit, who face just one more away trip this season – to champions Luton in front of a 10,000 strong Kenilworth Road crowd on Easter Monday.

Before then, though, Rovers take on Woking at the New Lawn on Saturday (3pm).

Macclesfield: R Taylor, A Hall, D Andrew, G Pilkington, S Williams, J Mackreth (D Rowe 70), P Winn, D Whitaker, P Lewis (S Kay 79), P Turnbull, S Boden (J Connor 90)

Subs not used: R Branagan, D Cowan

FGR: S Russell, E Oshodi, J Hodgkiss, D Bennett, L Oliver, A Bangura, P Green, Y Klukowski (M Kelly 61), J Norwood, L Hughes, M Taylor (D Wright 81).

Subs not used: P White, A Barry, B Jordan.

Attendance: 1,142.

Referee: Amy Fearn.

Star man: Luke Oliver.