FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper insists Reece Brown has 'Premier League ability' after the mercurial  midfielder coaxed his side to a derby day victory over Cheltenham Town.

Christian Doidge's 43rd minute strike proved the difference  to help Rovers to their first away win in 14 attempts and a crucial step closer to Football League survival.

Brown, a former Birmingham City and England U20 player, recalled to the side, left Cooper purring.

He said: “In my opinion Reece Brown has Premier League ability, it is just trying to get the other side of the game.

“We played him  because we identified a big space in front of their back four, where he could pick the ball up and twist and turn and that is what he did."

Cooper made three changes following the defeat at basement-boys Barnet last week and the Rovers' boss felt vindicated by his selections.

“I’m sure I got hammered for my selections before the game, but a lot of thought and work went into it this week, we needed calm heads and aggressive defenders and an aggressive holding midfield in Gavin Gunning and creativity as well, which Reece Brown and Chris Clements were.

“Gunning has played in midfield before in the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United, so it wasn’t something we pulled out of the air, we knew he could do it."

Cooper afforded praise to the 765 travelling support who created a party atmosphere throughout the match.

He added: "Our fans were brilliant and it should be like this every week, but we have to give them something to shout for."

With four games to play, Rovers are six points above the bottom two and Cooper feels a victory at home to bottom of the table Chesterfield on Saturday should secure safety.

“We just have to get our own house in order it was disappointing last week at Barnet, but we have bounced back in a local derby. We need another win and it should be done and dusted then."