It had been two years since Forest Green last won three in a row at home but that stat was broken on Tuesday night as Rovers edged past Leyton Orient 2-1 at the Innocent New Lawn.

Goals either side of half time from Odin Bailey and Matty Stevens were enough to secure all three points for Mark Cooper’s team and move them up to third in the League Two rankings. The result moved Rovers back above Cheltenham Town - the perfect response to Saturday's derby defeat.

Forest Green opened the scoring on the half-an-hour mark as Bailey netted a rare Rovers set-piece goal. A looping Scott Wagstaff free kick found Jordan Moore-Taylor who was able to pick out the Birmingham City loanee who fired home at the near post.

Leyton Orient equalised on 41 minutes as Josh Wright secured his first goal of the season. A defensive error from Rovers enabled James Brophy to charge down the left wing and cut back to Wright on the edge of the box who didn’t hesitate in restoring parity.

Half time substitute Stevens secured the victory for Forest Green inside the final 10 minutes. Bailey turned assister for the second Rovers goal as Stevens latched on to his excellent corner and poked in from close range.

Forest Green looked the brighter at the start of the contest with Aaron Collins having the best chances of the opening exchanges.

Rovers maintained a good tempo during the first 20 minutes as Jamille Matt nearly bagged his sixth goal of the season but was denied by the feet of Orient keeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

Wagstaff was replaced by Stevens at the start of the second half as the experienced midfielder worryingly hobbled off at the end of the first period.

Matt was given another opportunity to extend his goal scoring tally for the season on 69 minutes. The striker latched on to a deflected Stevens effort but subsequently squandered his chance from close range.

Stevens then struck the post on 78 minutes after a scintillating run from Bailey found him in space. The winger found Stevens free in the six-yard box but saw his effort hit the underside of the bar and bounce away from danger.

As Orient started to pile on the pressure, it became a nervy final few moments for Mark Cooper’s side but they managed to hold out for the victory. On 85 minutes, a messy goal line scramble followed a Leyton Orient corner but Luke McGee and the Rovers defenders did well to nullify the pressure.

Forest Green next travel to Lincoln on Saturday to face the Imps in the First Round of the FA Cup.

'We bounced back' - Forest Green boss Mark Cooper after win over Leyton Orient

 

GALLERY: Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Leyton Orient