FOREST GREEN 2

CHESTER FC 0

RACY novelist Jilly Cooper watched Forest Green serve up a blockbuster as her beloved side rubber-stamped a place in the play-offs.

Christian Doidge’s 25th league goal of the season and a second-half Liam Noble sizzler made it a day to remember for Mark Cooper's in-form side.

Earlier, boss Cooper made two changes to the team that beat Tranmere on Tuesday. With an eye on the Easter Monday trip to Southport, Sam Wedgbury was rested and his role in the midfield engine room was taken by Drissa Traore. Hero of the 85th-minute at Tranmere, Kaiyne Woolery, came in for Shamir Mullings and Marcus Kelly dropped to the bench for Omar Bugiel.

Rovers were boosted by the return of skipper Liam Noble (ankle) claiming a place on the subs bench,  but Keanu Marsh-Brown, Rob Sinclair and Darren Carter missed out.

 Rovers started on the front-foot – Christian Doidge thundering his shot against the base of the post inside the first thirty seconds, and from the corner how Rovers could have done with Premier League technology -  Bugiel claiming his header had crossed the line after Elliott Durrell cleared.

Six shots on target in the opening 20 minutes emphasised Rovers’ superiority.

Bugiel was showing some impish touches and his pass allowed Wigan loanee Woolery to bring out the best from Chester keeper Alex Lynch, who gloved his rocket over the bar. Rovers were full of vitality - Bugiel watching his shot clip off Ryan Astle and onto the bar.

Frustrated, Chester’s Lucas Dawson found his way into the book on the half-hour for a touchline lunge on Dale Bennett.

Rovers were cooking on green gas – Dan Wishart embarked on a mesmerising run, but Lynch was quickly off his line to smother.

Having failed to muster a shot on or off target in the opening 45 minutes, Chester were stung on 50 minutes.

Hot-shot Doidge made it 17 goals in 18 games with a clinical finish after to intricate passing from Bugiel and Woolery.

Frustration grew for Chester – Luke George going into the book for a kick at Charlie Cooper.

Rovers hunted a second – Woolery creating space to plant a stinger onto the post.

Chester looked for a way back and boss McCarthy made a triple substitution with twenty minutes to go.

But it was Rovers who grabbed a 74th-miunte second – sub Noble planting a sumptuous curler from the edge of the box for his ninth goal of the season.

Chester had to wait until two minutes before the death to register a worthwhile effort- Durrell firing over.

STAR MAN: Charlie Cooper - seems to be growing in stature and produced an energetic display at the heart of Rovers' midfield engine room.

ATT: 1,936.

ENTERTAINMENT: 4/5

REFEREE: Mr Adrian Quelch: 6/10

FOREST GREEN: ( 3-4-1-2) Russell 6;  Ellis 7, Monthe 7, Tilt 7; Wishart 6 ( Kelly 75, 7), Traore 7, Cooper 8, Bennett 8, Bugiel 7 ( Noble 68, 7); Doidge 7, Woolery 8 (Mullings 5, 79).

Subs not used: Robert, Gosling.

CHESTER: (3-5-1) Lynch 8, Astles 7, Hughes 8, Vassell 6; Joyce 6, Dawson 5 ( Shaw 71, 6), George 6, Hunt 6 (Waters 71, 6), Durrell 7; Alabi 5 (Akintunde 71, 6).

Subs not used: Marsh, Roberts.