Matty Stevens’ brace extended Forest Green’s unbeaten run to 17 games and reestablished a 10-point lead at the top of League Two.

Goals in each half saw Stevens take his personal tally to 19 league goals thanks to two Kane Wilson assists.

In a high-octane opening, it was Rovers who created the first opportunity – Stevens misdirecting his header from a Nicky Cadden cross.

County responded, with Jake Cain sending a corner onto the head of Courtney Baker-Richardson and he brought a plunging save from Luke McGee.

Rovers broke the deadlock after 33 minutes. Wilson collected the ball in his own half and motored into the Newport box before flicking the ball to Stevens who smashed it home.

Jack Aitchison fluffed his lines for Rovers on the stroke of half-time as he fired straight at Nick Townsend after picking the pocket of Scot Bennett.

Forest Green made an electric start to the second half. Wilson stood the ball up for the head of Stevens but he saw his effort gathered by Townsend.

The Wilson-Stevens combination proved pivotal again as Wilson’s dinked cross was met by the head of Stevens for his second goal of the game after 61 minutes.

The well-shackled Dom Telford flickered into life for Newport but McGee blocked at his feet. Rovers were close to a third when Baily Cargill’s header was touched over but two was more than enough for a victory that moved Rovers 14 points clear of the play-off places.

Boss Rob Edwards is remaining grounded, despite the bookies already paying out on his side winning promotion.

“No, we aren’t taking anything for granted,” he said.

“Getting 1-0 up was key at half-time in the conditions, but my only criticism was we could have been a bit more ruthless, but that’s another good clean sheet for us.”

Edwards was delighted with the way his side contained Newport hot-shot Dom Telford – League Two’s leading marksman.

He said: “We nullified Dom Telford and we kept his team who supply him quiet.”

Edwards also toasted a mazy run from Kane Wilson, who conjured the opening goal for Stevens.

He said: “Kane Wilson’s run was incredible – a Roy of the Rovers run, the length of the pitch, and Matty Stevens was in the right place at the right time for the finish.

“We won the game because of the lads’ hard work, and the players deserve a lot of credit, but it’s just another game.”