FOREST Green prolonged their unbeaten away start in a nerve-shredding clash at the Lamb last night.

Boss David Hockaday had earlier warned it would be time for tin hats at high-flying Tamworth, but Rovers got off to the perfect start.

There was a huge slice of fortune attached to the opening goal, although it stemmed from a brilliant touch and cross-field pass by Kieron Forbes.

James Norwood did the rest from the right flank, driving at the heart of the home defence and unleashing a shot that ricocheted wildly off Paul Green and looped beyond stranded keeper Jonathon Hedge.

Hockaday made four changes after Saturday’s debacle against Southport, although striker Matty Taylor’s omission was enforced due to a knock.

Norwood, Yan Klukowski and Reece Styche all returned, while Al Bangura made his long-awaited first start at the heart of midfield.

Jay Smith tried to hit back with a fiercely struck free-kick from all of 30 yards, but James Bittner watched it well and parried to safety.

It was a similar story when Danny Thomas chanced his arm from distance after a surging run, Bittner plunging forward to gather without fuss.

A ferocious but fair challenge by Jared Hodgkiss saw the ball break to Styche in space, and he tried an extraordinary chip from just inside the Tamworth half, which dropped wide.

Luke Graham’s mistake at the other end presented Thomas was a chance inside the box, and Rovers were fortunate that he fired straight at Bittner.

Back came the visitors, as Norwood fed Klukowski in a central position and he was foiled by the onrushing Hedge.

Styche failed to make it to half-time, worryingly due to a recurrence of the slight knee injury, which sidelined him on Saturday.

It meant Klukowski began the second period as the central striker, and he was inches away from connecting with a low Hodgkiss cross.

Griffin eventually arrived in the 53rd minute for Norwood, who limped off with a groin strain, but Tamworth were next to threaten when a cross-shot from Thomas came back off the crossbar.

Rovers continued to look the more slick side in possession, and delightful build-up play deserved better than Chris Stokes’ tame shot into the midriff of Hedge.

A wickedly swerving drive from Francino Francis brought a good save from Bittner, and as the clock ticked down Richard Tait’s volley cleared the bar.

McDonald could have made for a more comfortable finish, but he was narrowly off-target with a shap-shot on the turn.

Tamworth: J. Hedge; R. Tait, F. Francis (E. Valentim 88), P. Green, S. Habergham; A. Cain (N. Shariff 63), D. Thomas, J. Smith, D. Bradley; D. Mills (I. Christie 63), K. St Aimie; Subs not used: L. McDonald, J. Collister.

Forest Green: J. Bittner; J. Hodgkiss, J. Turley, L. Graham, C. Stokes; K. Forbes, A. Bangura, J. Rowe (W. Turk 84); J. Norwood (C. Griffin 53), R. Styche (C. McDonald 42), Y. Klukowski; Subs not used: J. Imudia, C. Allen.

Referee: N. Kinseley (Essex) Attendance: 787 Star man: James Bittner.