Matty Stevens fired Forest Green to the top of League Two table as he bagged two goals at the Banks’s Stadium against Walsall.

The 23-year-old took his season tally to three from the first two games when he nodded the ball past goalkeeper Carl Rushworth before he sealed his second and Rovers’ third with a penalty in first-half stoppage time to beat the Saddlers 3-1.

Jamille Matt also struck as Rovers made it two wins out of two under Rob Edwards.

Rovers led after 20 minutes as Matt hooked Ben Stevenson’s return ball back across goal for Stevens to nod in from close range.

Walsall were twice unlucky not to level as Ash Taylor’s towering header was cleared off the line by Regan Hendry before Luke McGee produced a fingertip save to foil Kieran Phillips’ curler.

But Matt steered in Kane Wilson’s low cross to double Forest Green’s lead after 43 minutes and Stevens stroked home from the spot after Manny Monthe’s tug on Ebou Adams two minutes later.

Walsall almost pulled one back early in the second half but Conor Wilkinson hit the post from 20 yards.

Carl Rushworth made a superb save to stop Jack Aitchison adding a fourth for Rovers before Brendan Kiernan cut inside to curl home a stoppage-time consolation for Walsall.

Afterwards Edwards admitted he cannot believe his luck with the squad he has inherited.

I’m incredibly lucky – that was the reason for taking the job: there weren’t any fires to fight," he said.

"We have had a nice start because the lads are working so hard.

"But the great thing is that there’s already a bond, a togetherness between them, there’s a real spirit there. Keeping the main bulk of the group together was the most important thing.

“We’ve made a brilliant start and we’ve got to keep it going – keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and keep working hard.”

Edwards also expressed his delighted with his front two.

He added: “Matt Stevens has worked incredibly hard. He was disappointed to come off which is right, because he’ll want that hat-trick but it’s about the team.

“He’s had a fantastic start, likewise with Jammer (Jamille Matt). I’m really pleased with both the strikers and their goals.

“It’s great that we’ve got people who are confident in front of goal and we do look a threat.”