Forest Green Rovers secured a tight one nil victory over newly promoted Harrogate Town on Saturday afternoon as fans returned to The EnviroVent Stadium, writes Sam Wiles.

Jamille Matt netted his seventh league goal of the season and it proved decisive in moving his side up to third place in the League Two standings.

Matt once again impressed and tapped in from close range on 57 minutes as an excellent Nicky Cadden burst of pace enabled the 31-year-old to find space in the opposition’s six-yard box.

There have been some comparisons linking Matt to the former Rovers player Christian Doidge but Mark Cooper feels the summer signing offers something different.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, he said: “Jamma’s (Jamille Matt) more of a target man than (Christian) Doidge and he’s been brilliant – I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

Rovers had to work hard for their three points and claim a tight victory against the league newcomers but Cooper was pleased with his team’s display.

“It’s pleasing that we can come and show a different side to our game,” he said.

“We can grind a win out and keep a clean sheet on a difficult pitch.”

Harrogate had lost two games on the bounce prior to facing Forest Green and Cooper admitted he expected the Yorkshire team to come out fighting.

He said: “Harrogate have just lost two games, quite convincingly, it’s always a dangerous one after that.

“It’s going to dent their pride and they’re going to come out and make it really difficult for you, which they did.”

On Tuesday night, Rovers face a trip to Oxford United in the Papa John’s Trophy Second Round and Cooper is relishing the challenge of facing League One opponents.

“What I’ll say is that we want to win the game,” he added.

“So, we’re going to pick a team that we think can win the game so there won’t be too many changes.”