FOREST GREEN are bracing themselves for January transfer window interest in hot-shot striker Christian Doidge.

The only player in England's top four divisions to plunder more goals than England and Spurs striker Harry Kane, Doidge,25, took his running total for the year to 32 by bagging a brace in the helter-skelter FA Cup second round 3-3 draw with League Two rivals Exeter City.

Doidge signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2019-20 season and Rovers will be keen to fend off approaches for their crown jewel.

He was close to moving to Oxford United in the summer, but the move stalled when boss Michael Appleton quit the U's to join Leicester City.

Doidge's recent red-hot form has seen the Newport-based footballer notch nine goals in his last six games. And with scouts flocking to the New Lawn, team-mate Scott Laird is telling prospective suitors to keep away.

“He’s on fire but let’s not big him up too much, we don’t want people sniffing around. He’s rubbish,” said Laird, who who sparked Rovers’ late fight back with an 88th minute equaliser.

Doidge struck in the 92nd minute but there was still time for Jayden Stockley to add his second of the afternoon to take the game to a replay.

Laird admitted that Forest Green Rovers’ thrilling FA Cup second round tie with Exeter was tinged with disappointment that they couldn’t complete the job on the day.

It was the 29-year-old who sparked Rovers’ late come back pulling the game back to 2-2 in the 88th minute.

Doidge struck in the 92nd minute but there was still time for Jayden Stockley to add his second of the afternoon to take the game to a replay.

“It was value for money wasn’t it? It was a proper FA Cup game, it was end-to-end, even at 3-3 Alex (Iacovitti) makes an unbelievable save on the line and we’re 5 v 1 right at the end and the referee goes and blows for a free-kick,” said Laird.

“But, from our point of view as a team, we are 3-2 up deep into stoppage time and we’ve got to be able to see that out.

“It’s something we are going to really look upon and sort out because we’re probably going to be in that situation again this season and we’ve got to be able to see it out.”

It was Doidge who had given the hosts the lead in the first half, latching onto a perfect pass from Reece Brown.

However, Laird was reluctant to give too much praise to his team-mate.

“We’ve been working on that all week,” he added.

“That’s our style of play, we try and keep the ball and try and play out from the back.

“We did that, we got Reece into a really good pocket and he played a precision pass in, Doidgey didn’t have to break stride, he just finished it off and that’s what he does."

However, Doidge turned provider for Laird’s equaliser, for which he was grateful… “Oh no, that was alright, we’ll let him off for that,” he joked, relishing the role of playing in midfield alongside Lee Collins to fill the gap left by an extensive injury list.

“It was nice for me to get another goal, I’ve been due one. Goals are a big part of my game, I like getting forward and getting goals and that role suited me today.

“I got the chance to get in the box, had a few shots as well and really enjoyed it.”

Laird will be watching the third round draw on Monday from his sofa but he knows that the job is far from complete with a difficult away trip now in store.

“I’ve been very lucky in my career so far, I’ve had a few good FA Cup runs. It will be nice to be in the hat for the third round,” he added.

“It’s exciting. You’re sat on the sofa and you’re heart is going, it’s like you’re playing in a game because you are anticipating that ball to come out and hopefully we can get a good draw.

“But, we haven’t done anything, we’ve got to go to Exeter and win that replay.”