Forest Green Rovers moved to within one point of League Two leaders Cambridge United on Sunday afternoon as they overcame Newport County 2-0, writes Sam Wiles.

Josh Davison scored in back-to-back games as he opened the scoring for Rovers on 43 minutes after he cut inside the Newport box and fired his effort into the bottom right corner.

Jamille Matt also netted upon his return to Rodney Parade as he calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after 63 minutes.

Conditions at the Exiles’ ground were difficult to say the least and with the worn pitch causing both sides issues, Rovers’ boss Mark Cooper admitted that playing on it wasn’t an easy task for his men.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, he said: “We had to play a different kind of sport today, it wasn’t football as we know it. It was a bit like what you used to play in the playground, British bulldog.

“We had a team and a group and a squad of guys out there who fought, ran, scrapped and did everything you have to do to win a game of football on an horrendous pitch.”

Rovers have been strong on the road this season and their victory at Newport marked their eighth away league win of the season.

However, Cooper was quick to play down the thought that away wins are more valuable to his side.

He said: “We’re not fussed where we win the games to be honest.

“We’re not fussed whether it’s home or away, it’s just about winning enough games and as boring as it sounds, I’m not thinking about anything else in this moment of time apart from tomorrow’s training session and getting the boys recovered for another tough game on Wednesday.”

Despite being two goals up after 63 minutes, Cooper conceded that there was no chance he was going to relax on the touchline.

“I never feel comfortable in a game of football really,” he said. “You need to be at least three or four-nil up to feel comfortable and the way that Newport keep going, you can never ever count your chickens.”

Charlton Athletic loanee Josh Davison impressed once more as he claimed his second goal for Forest Green since arriving in January and Cooper admitted he is an impressive talent.

“He’s a nuisance, isn’t he?” he added. “He runs and runs and runs which is what you have to do to be a successful football player.”

Forest Green next host Southend United on Wednesday evening.