SKYBET LEAGUE TWO

FOREST GREEN ROVERS 2

CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1

WHISPER it quietly but Forest Green are eyeing the League Two automatics.

Mark Cooper's side guaranteed their place in the end of season play-offs with their fourth straight victory over an already safe Cambridge United. Gavin Gunning's first goal of the season gave Rovers the lead at the break, but Paul Lewis netted second-half parity, but Christian Doidge's 14th goal of the season left Rovers looking upwards.

With Mansfield Town losing 3-2 at Oldham and MK Dons drawing at home to Port Vale, Rovers jumped up to fifth - three points shy of the automatics, with two games of the regular season to go.

Earlier, Cooper made two changes from the team which beat Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday. George Williams (ankle) missed out with Dayle Grubb taking his place. Gavin Gunning started ahead of Lee Collins.

Cambridge boss Colin Calderwood tinkered with his side – making six changes.

An inauspicious start was tempered when Cambridge defender Louis John was afforded the freedom of the New Lawn to stride forwards and unleash a 30 yard howitzer which James Montgomery gloved wide.

Rovers started to move through the gears – Joe Mills seeing his cross gloved over by Dimitar Mitov and then Gunning failing to get enough purchase on his header from the corner.

Rovers have been culpable at corners this season, but boss Cooper was purring when his side opened their account on 24 minutes. Grubb’s flighter picked out the leaping Gunning who neatly glanced his header beyond Mitov.

Warm applause followed after sumptuous tiki-taka play involving a raft of Forest Green players eventually saw Christian Doidge’s shot blocked.

Rovers were bossing it and were a whisker from making it 2-0 on the cusp of the break.

Mills’ scampering run was brought to an end and from the free-kick Grubb clipped the top of the bar with Mitov clutching thin air.

Rovers started the second-half on the front foot, but were stung on 66 minutes – Paul Lewis was allowed all the time in the world to pull the trigger from 25 yards to level things up.

Rovers responded – Reece Brown stinging the gloves of Mitov and Mills forcing a brave block from Harry Darling.

Cambridge cracked with 15 minutes to go. The predatory Doidge stabbed home following a Grubb corner after Gunning’s header was initially blocked.

Forest Green: Montgomery; Shephard, Rawson, McGinley, Mills; Gunning, Brown (Digby 90), Winchester, Grubb, Mondal (Reid 83); Doidge

Subs not used: Ward, Godwin-Malife, James, Collins, McCoulsky

Cambridge: Mitov; Davies (Ibehre 61), Darling, John, Taylor (Knowles 85), Carroll; Coulson, Deegan, Lewis, Amoo (Brown 61); Hepburn-Murphy

Subs not used: Iron, Dunk, Lambe

Star Man: Gavin Gunning.

Referee: Thomas Bramall

Attendance: 2,699

Away fans: 232

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