Cheltenham Town ended a 22-year wait to beat rivals Forest Green Rovers as they secured a 2-1 victory at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes Sam Wiles

Goals from Will Boyle and Andy Williams proved to be decisive for the hosts despite Aaron Collins converting from the spot for Rovers.

The Robins were first to draw blood in this Halloween derby. On 11 minutes, a long throw in from captain Ben Tozer found the towering Boyle’s head after a tussle in the Rovers box.

Cheltenham doubled their lead on 57 minutes and it was top goal scorer Williams who dealt the blow. A scuffed through ball by Alfie May found Williams in acres of space and he was able to run one on one with Luke McGee and slot it past the Rovers number one.

Rovers were given a chance to half the deficit as they were awarded a penalty on 73 minutes. Scott Wagstaff was clipped in the Robins’ area and second half substitute Collins converted coolly from the spot.

Forest Green had their first notable effort on the hosts’ goal 15 minutes in. A loose ball from a Rovers corner fell to Jake Young on the edge of the box but he saw his shot blocked by fellow team-mate Jamille Matt.

McGee made a fine save from point blank range to keep the game alive after 22 minutes. Robins’ danger man Williams was able to find space in the box after a well worked cross but his effort was parried away by McGee.

Mark Cooper’s men showed real verve after going a goal down and once again Jamille Matt was at the centre of the attacking threat. A fine burst of pace from Udoka Godwin-Malife enabled him to produce a well worked cross to Matt but the striker saw his headed effort kept out well by Josh Griffiths.

The amount of clear cut chances created was fairly balanced during the first half, with Cheltenham striker Reuben Reid spurning one of the clearest opportunities. The Robins number nine was played in behind Rovers’ back line by Alfie May but slashed his attempt against McGee’s side-netting.

Ebou Adams very nearly marked his return to the starting line up with a goal after 70 minutes. A beautifully weighted cross by Wagstaff just evaded Adams’ boot and trickled out for a goal kick.

With just five minutes left of the match substitute Odin Bailey came close to converting for the visitors as his 20-yard effort skidded inches wide of the Robins’ net.

McGee did excellently to keep the game at 2-1 deep into injury time as he denied Alex Addai getting in on the goal scoring action.