FA CUP FIRST ROUND

FOREST GREEN 1

MACCLESFIELD 0

GUY FAWKES supposedly carried out the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament at nearby Lypiatt Park, but in the nearby valley of Nailsworth, Forest Green boss Mark Cooper toasted Bonfire Night eve with a comfortable FA Cup first round victory.

Christian Doidge bundled the ball home on 42 minutes from a Scott Laird cross to put Cooper’s side into the hat for Monday’s second round draw.

Cooper and Macclesfield have previous FA Cup history. Sixteen years ago the former Forest Green midfielder played his part in a thrilling 11-10 penalty shoot-out.

Cooper scored a stunning free-kick in normal time, missed a penalty and then scored one in the shoot-out against a then Football League Macclesfield.

Earlier, Cooper was forced to make one change to the team that have won their last three league games. Alex Iacovitti (hip) was replaced by Manny Monthe. Macclesfield include former Forest Green captain Jared Hodgkiss in their side.

Six places in the pyramid split League Two Rovers with their old National League rivals, but after a cagey start it was Cooper’s side who fashioned the first opening on 15 minutes. Monthe drove forward to find Christian Doidge and his dink over the advancing Shwan Jalal skimmed the top of the bar. Four minutes later the boot of Brad Collins saved Rovers. Tyrone Marsh opened up Rovers and the Chelsea loanee reacted quickly to deny Daniel Whitehead from point-blank range.

Macclesfield were knocking on the Rovers door but Brad Collins was proving to be a reassuring presence.

Rovers responded. Doidge directing a header wide and display body strength to play in Keanu Marsh-Brown who spanked a skidder into the plunging Jalal.

Rovers finally nosed ahead on 42 minutes. Reece Brown started the move and the ball eventually fell to Scott Laird who drilled a low cross into the box for Doidge to get the final touch. Doidge should of added a second in stoppage time but he fluffed his lines from a Marsh-Brown free-kick.

Noe Baba was fortunate not to pick up a 52nd minute booking for fouling Marsh-Brown, but seconds later his name was taken after pulling back the buccaneering Monthe.

Referee Trevor Kettle had Rovers boiling when Dale Bennett was booked for alleged time wasting with 20 minutes to go. Bennett will now miss Rovers' next league game at Crawley Town.

Rovers should have wrapped the game up on 75 minutes. Brown and Doidge combined to set sub Omar Bugiel up, but he contrived to skew wide with just Jalal to beat.

Forest Green: (3-4-2-1) B Collins; Fitzwater, L Collins, Monthe; Laird, Traroe (Stevens, 90), Osbourne, Bennett; Marsh-Brown (Bugiel, 70), Brown, Doidge

Subs not used: Russell, Roberts, James, Gomes, Randall.

Attendance: 1,387

Away: 212

Star Man: Christian Doidge. Scored a goal and worked his proverbial socks-off.