FOREST GREEN scored three first half goals against ten-man Salisbury City last night to increase their hopes of pulling off the great escape.

A second win in four days leaves Dave Hockaday's side just two points adrift of safety with eight games to play.

Tomi Ameobi put Rovers ahead on 16 minutes after Isaiah Rankin's shot was parried and Jonathan Smith doubled their advantage when he fired low into the corner.

Reece Styche fired in the third on 43 minutes before Whites goalkeeper James Bittner was sent off for handball outside the box just before the break.

Substitute Jamie Turley pulled one back for the ten men with a header on 57 minutes.

Salisbury: Bittner, Clohessy, Martin (Turley 52), Giles, Ruddick, Clarke, Anderson (Webb 81), Reid, Flood, Tubbs, Bush (Pryce 45).

Subs Not Used: Adelsbury, Connolly.

Sent Off: Bittner (45).

Booked: Anderson.

Goals: Turley 57.

Forest Green: Ireland, Hodgkiss, Armstrong, Preece, Stonehouse, Platt, Smith, Brown, Rankin, Styche (Morris 68), Ameobi.

Subs Not Used: Burton, Else, Davies, O'Cearuill.

Booked: Stonehouse.

Goals: Ameobi 16, Smith 33, Styche 43.

Att: 665.

Ref: Steve Creighton (Berkshire).