FOREST GREEN 3

Doidge 29,45

Brown 50

GRIMSBY 0

CHRISTIAN DOIDGE returned from his collapsed £1million move to Bolton Wanderers with a first-half double as Forest Green got their promotion aspirations back on track with a routine win over Grimsby Town.

Doidge opened his account on 29 minutes as Liam Shephard stood up the perfect cross for the Welshman to plant his close range header beyond former Forest Green goalkeeper Sam Russell.

And Doidge bagged his second on the cusp of the break – reacting quickly after Russell could only smother Joseph Mills’ stinging free-kick – Doidge hitting his sixth goal of the season. Reece Brown made the game safe with a skidding 50th minute free-kick.

Earlier, boss Mark Cooper made one change from the side beaten by Bury on Saturday. Captain LIoyd James dropped to the bench with Paul Digby taking his place in the midfield engine room. Gavin Gunning was handed the armband against his former club.

The Mariners started with ex-Forest Green icon Sam Russell in goal. Russell given a rare outing after James McKeown was red carded at Lincoln on Saturday.

From the get-go Rovers were pleasing on the eye. Chief conductor Reece Brown bamboozled the Grimsby defence to slide in the willing George Williams and his picture-perfect cross fell to Christian Doidge, who saw his stinger miraculously turned on to the post by the alert Russell.

The perky opening soon dissolved as the game and atmosphere faded.

A spark was needed and Doidge found it on 29 minutes. Liam Shephard stood up the perfect cross for Doidge to leap and plant his close range header beyond Russell for his first goal since his transfer collapse from Bolton Wanderers.

Finding confidence from the goal, Cooper’s side upped the ante – Carl Winchester fizzing wide from the edge of the box.

Russell fell on a Williams free-kick as Rovers sniffed a second.

Adding to the lead has been Rovers’ Achilles heal during this promotion-chasing season and they were a smidge from grabbing a second with six minutes of the half to go.

Shepherd’s perception teed up Brown and his deft chip over the advancing Russell was heroically cleared off the line via the outside of the post by Grimsby captain Harry Davis.

Doidge banked his second on the cusp of the break. Joseph Mills’ fizzing free-kick was too hot to handle and Doidge was on hand to turn in the free ball.

Rovers had strong claims for a penalty just two minutes after the resumption. Gunning’s sumptuous pass saw Ludwig Ohman chop Doidge down – Rovers baying for a penalty.

However, they felt vindicated when the subsequent 50th minute free-kick flew in as Brown picked his spot from the corner of the box for his fifth of the season and second in as many games. Rovers were on the money and only Russell’s block denied Brown after Doidge rolled him in.

Rovers saw the game out comfortably and jumped up a place to sixth – four points off automatic.

Forest Green: Montgomery; Rawson, Gunning, McGinley; Mills, Digby, Winchester (James 77), Brown (McCoulsky 66), Shephard, Doidge, Williams (Campbell 77)

Subs not used: Ward, Collins, Reid, Mondal, Collins

Ref:Anthony Coggins

Star Man: Christian Doidge

Attendance: 1,810

Away: 187

Next up: Rovers travel to Stevenage on Saturday, 3pm.